presently entered into their mood, and they seemed, as in fact they
were, a light-hearted and happy little breakfast party; both Arthur and
Ella feeling greatly relieved by the favorable change in their cousin,
not for Zoe's sake alone, but also because of their own affection for
him.

Edward no longer needed Arthur as nurse: indeed, Zoe claimed the right
to a monopoly of the, to her, sweet task of waiting upon him, and
attending to all his wants. So Arthur resigned in that capacity, but was
to continue his visits as physician.

He and Ella returned to Roselands shortly after leaving the
breakfast-table; and Zoe, in joyous, tender mood, took her place by her
husband's bedside.

He welcomed her with a loving smile, taking her hand in his, and
carrying it to his lips.

"Arthur has condemned me to lie here for a full week," he said. "It
would seem a weary while in the prospect, but for the thought of having,
through it all, the sweet companionship of my darling little wife."

"Dear Ned, how good in you to say so!" she murmured, kneeling beside the
bed, and laying her cheek to his. "I don't believe there's another
creature in the world that thinks my society of much account."

"If you are right in that, which I very much doubt," he said with a
smile of incredulity, "it only shows their want of taste, and makes no
difference to us, does it, love, since we are all the world to each
other?"

"I am sure it makes no difference to me," she responded: "if you love,
and are pleased with, me, it's very little I care what anybody else may
think or say about me. But, oh! isn't it nice to be alone together
again?"

"Very nice."

"And remember, you are to make all possible use of me,--as nurse,
reader,--when you feel that you would like to listen to book or
news-paper,--as amanuensis, every thing."

"Yes, dearest, I expect to employ you in all those capacities by and by;
but at present, I want nothing but to have you sit by my side, and talk
to me, while I hold your hand, and feast my eyes on the face that is to
me the dearest in all the world."

At that, the pretty face was suffused with blushes and smiles. "I'm so
happy! so very happy!" she murmured, stealing an arm round his neck. "It
is such a change from yesterday, when for a little while, I--I thought
you--were gone, and--and without my having had a chance to ask your
forgiveness."

The sobs came thick and fast as she went on. "O Ned! dear, dear Ned!
I--I don't m