shyness. Remember, almost everything is strange to him here, and he is
sad. I am sure he does not mean to be haughty."

"O yes," replied Robert, turning from the canine playfellow he was
affectionately patting, "I mean to treat him just the same as though he
were a true-born Briton. He isn't to blame for being only an
unfortunate Cawnpore boy, born among heathens and boa-constrictors and
Juggernauts, and not knowing how to skate, or make snowballs. Good by,
mamma, don't trouble yourself about me; I 'll carry myself 'this side
up with care.' By by, baby. No, no, old Rover, you can't come; you
would n't know how to behave with my lord's Italian greyhound, and my
lady's dainty King Charles Spaniel."

Mr. Rivers, after seeing the children off, entered the nursery, to find
his wife still troubled by the heat and crimson redness of the baby's
cheeks and lips, though the old Scotch nurse, who was holding him, said
cheerily: "Eh, dinna fash yoursel'. It's only a little teething fever,
the bairnie will soon be weel. Gang about your ain affairs, and trust
auld Elspeth."

But the mother dared not leave the little one till he was asleep. He
slept very soundly until noon, and when he awoke it was evident that he
was seriously ill. Mrs. Rivers again took him on her lap, but to her
grief perceived that he did not seem to know her. Soon, his sweet blue
eyes were rolled upward, his brow contracted, his lips were set, and
his tender limbs grew rigid. Medical aid was called at once, but the
little sufferer passed from one spasm into another, till almost ere
physician and parents were aware that he was going, poor little Alfred
was gone!

After the first wild burst of sorrow was over, Mr. Rivers said to his
wife, "Shall I send to the Castle for the children?"

"No, Charles," replied the good mother, "though I yearn for them
inexpressibly, I will not so sadly cut short their day of pleasure.
The night of sorrow will come speedily enough."

Early in the evening, Lord Glenmore's carriage came dashing through the
rustic gateway of the Rectory. Mr. Rivers was at the hall door
awaiting the children. Margaret noticed that her papa looked serious,
and that he kissed her with more than usual tenderness; but the others
were too much occupied with the pleasant stories they had to tell of
the day at the Castle, to remark on any change in him. They ran into
the silent house, laughing and chatting merrily. They found their
mamma