and the late evening, and have scarcely seen the
sun for months. You have had a great deal on your spirits, and been
exceedingly dull. You have missed your excellent sister, and I do not
wonder at it. It would have been a miracle if you could have kept your
health this unkindly spring, with all these drawbacks. But you have
nothing whatever alarming in your case."

"My dear Miss Melville," continued he, turning to Jane, "I assure you
that your sister only wants what she has come to England to
obtain--change, cheerful society, sunshine, and generous diet--to
restore her to perfect health."

Elsie gave one sigh at this verdict.

"Do not think me ungrateful, Dr. Phillips; I should be thankful to be
restored to health; but life has been so hard for me lately, that I
felt almost glad to think that, without any fault of my own, God was
going to take me away, and that Jane would join me by and by, when her
work was done. She is fit for the work she has got to do, and I appear
to be so unfit for it. I suppose we ought to love life----"

"It is a sign that one is out of health when one does not," said Dr.
Phillips. "Your depression of spirits is more physical than mental; but
then it reacts upon your health. You used to be cheerful before you
left that place--what do you call it?--where my old friend Hogarth
brought you up."

"Yes, quite cheerful," said Elsie; "but things have gone very
differently with me since."

"Well, you must regain your old spirits, if possible; and in the
meantime, get on your bonnet and have a little drive with me while Miss
Melville is busy with her pupils. If you won't mind a few stoppages, we
will have a pleasant round, through as pretty a part of the country as
England can boast of."

Jane asked privately for Dr. Phillips's opinion, being sure that he
gave Elsie his brightest view of her case.

"There is nothing positively wrong with her at present, Miss Melville;
but she has got into such a low tone of health that she needs care. She
must never return to such a life as she has had lately; she must have a
lighter employment, more open air, and better food."

"It is so difficult," said Jane, "to get employment. I am sure there
are a thousand chances against my finding such an excellent situation
as I have with Mrs. Phillips."

"And a thousand chances against their meeting with such an excellent
governess and housekeeper. The pleasure is mutual, I am sure. I must
see what your sister is fi