e of the
others."

Zoe colored violently. "Cousin Arthur, do you think I am needed in your
patient's room?" she asked.

"Only to cheer and amuse her with your pleasant society," he answered.

"She would find neither pleasure nor amusement in my society," said Zoe;
"and hers is most distasteful to me."

"That's a pity," said Arthur, with a look of concern. "Suppose I lend
you Ella for a few days? She, I think, would rather enjoy taking the
entertainment of your guest off your hands."

"Oh, thank you!" said Zoe, brightening; "that would be a relief: and,
besides, I should enjoy Ella myself, between times, and after Miss Deane
goes home."

"Please tell Ella we will both be greatly obliged if she will come,"
Edward said.

"I'll do so," said Arthur, rising to go; "but I have a long drive to
take, in another direction, before returning to Roselands. And you must
remember," he added with a smile, "that I lend her for only a few days.
Cal and I wouldn't know how to do without her very long."

With that, he took his departure, leaving Edward and Zoe alone together.

"I am sorry, Zoe, that you thought it necessary to let Arthur into the
secret of the mutual dislike between Miss Deane and yourself," remarked
Edward, in a grave, reproving tone.

Zoe colored angrily. "I don't care who knows it," she retorted, with a
little toss of her head. "I did not think it _necessary_ to let Arthur
into the secret, as you call it (I don't consider it one), but neither
did I see any objection to his knowing about it."

"Then, let me request you to say no more on the subject to any one," he
said, with vexation.

"I sha'n't promise," she muttered, half under her breath. But he heard
it.

"Very well, then, I forbid it; and you have promised to obey me."

"And you promised that it should always be love and coaxing," she said,
in tones trembling with pain and passion. "I'll have to tell Ella
something about it."

"Then, say only what is quite necessary," he returned, his tones
softening.

Then, after a moment's silence, in which Zoe's face was turned from him
so that he could not see its expression, "Won't you go now, and ask if
Miss Deane is any easier? Surely, as her hostess, you should do so
much."

"No, I won't! I'll do all I can to make her comfortable; I'll provide
her with society more agreeable to her than mine; I'll see that she has
interesting reading-matter, if she wants it; I'll do any thing and every
thing I can, e