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to all their kind words she had but one answer. It could not be. She
could never leave Archie. He was ill and lame, and had no one else, and
she had promised her mother always to take care of him.

It was in vain that they assured her that his health and comfort should
be cared for; that, though for the present they might be separated, he
would still be her brother, and that her change of circumstances would
be, as beneficial to him as to her in the end. They urged her to
consider, and not to decide hastily. They would wait, weeks or months,
till her brother was better, so that she could leave him with her aunt.

But no. It could not be. It would seem like forsaking him. She had
promised their mother always to take care of him. Nothing could make it
right to break that promise.

"Indeed you must not be grieved, or think me ungrateful," she pleaded.
"It would not be right. It would break Archie's heart to part from me
now."

And so they let her go. Dr Gordon did not speak to her, but he held
her hand firmly as they passed down the street. Lilias thought he was
angry at her decision; but he was not angry. He was only grieved. When
they reached the door, she lingered.

"Indeed, sir, I could not do any other way; and, if you please, don't
tell my aunt all you have said to me to-night: she might think I would
be sorry afterwards, and I wish you wouldn't tell her."

"Well, child, I will not tell her, since it is your wish. But remember,
if any trouble comes upon you, you must write and let me know." And
Lilias joyfully assented to the condition.

The doctor's visit comforted them all greatly. Archie's case he thought
by no means so hopeless as he had once thought it. True, he might still
be lame; but he might be strong and healthy for all that. The fresh air
of the hills would, he believed, work wonders for him: so he bade him
take heart; and the poor lad's pale face brightened as he said it.

To Mrs Blair he spoke of her brother in terms of respect and affection
that won her confidence at once; and when he earnestly entreated her to
consider him as a friend to the children, and to apply to him if trouble
should overtake them, she promised to do so, without hesitation or
reserve.

When he bade "good-bye" to Lilias, he took her face between his hands
and kissed her many times on lip and brow, calling her a firm little
thing, though she seemed so gentle; and then he prayed, "God bless her,"
and t