tes, neither more or less. We shall be there
now in exactly ten minutes."

Hester tried to smile, but failed; her agony of apprehension grew and
grew. She breathed more freely when they turned into the avenue. When
they stopped at the wide stone porch, and the doctor got out, she uttered
a sigh of relief. She took Dr. Mayflower herself up to Nan's room. Miss
Danesbury opened the door, the doctor went inside, and Hester crouched
down on the landing and waited. It seemed to her that the good physician
would never come out. When he did she raised a perfectly blanched face to
his, she opened her lips, tried to speak, but no words would come. Her
agitation was so intense that the kind-hearted doctor took instant pity
on her.

"Come into this room, my child," he said. "My dear, you will be ill
yourself if you give way like this. Pooh! pooh! this agitation is
extreme--is uncalled for. You have got a shock. I shall prescribe a glass
of sherry at once. Come down stairs with me, and I will see that you get
one."

"But how is she, sir--how is she?" poor Hester managed to articulate.

"Oh! the little one--sweet, pretty, little darling. I did not know she
was your sister--a dear little child. She got an ugly fall, though--came
on a nasty place."

"But, please, sir, how is she? She--she--she is not in danger?"

"Danger? by no means, unless you put her into it. She must be kept very
quiet, and, above all things, not excited. I will come to see her again
to-morrow morning. With proper care she ought to be quite herself in a
few days. Ah! now you've got a little color in your cheek, come down with
me and have that glass of sherry, and you will feel all right."

CHAPTER XXIV.

ANNIE TO THE RESCUE.

The picnic-party arrived home late. The accident to little Nan had not
shortened the day's pleasure, although Mrs. Willis, the moment she heard
of it, had come back; for she entered the hall just as the doctor was
stepping into his carriage. He gave her his opinion, and said that he
trusted no further mischief, beyond a little temporary excitement, had
been caused. He again, however, spoke of the great necessity of keeping
Nan quiet, and said that her schoolfellows must not come to her, and that
she must not be excited in any way. Mrs. Willis came into the great hall
where Hester was standing. Instantly she went up to the young girl, and
put her arm around and drew her to her side.

"Darling," she said, "this is a grievous