r; and her death would grieve me more than
any trial that has yet overtaken me--more than you can realize, or
than I can express."

He took Miss Jane's face in his hands, kissed her, and left the room.

Meeting Muriel and Salome in the hall, the former seized his arm, and
exclaimed,--

"You shall not leave home again! Let me tell Elbert to put up your
buggy. If you continue to work yourself down, as you are now doing,
you will be prematurely old, and gray, and decrepit. Come into the
parlor, and let me play you to sleep."

"I heartily wish I could follow your pleasant prescription, but duty
is inexorable, and knows no law but that of obedience."

"Must you sit up to-night? Is that poor lady no better?"

"I can see no improvement, and must remain until I do."

"You are afraid that she will die?"

"I hope that God will spare her life."

His serious tone awed Muriel, who raised his hand to her lips, and
murmured,--

"My dear doctor, I wish I could help you. I wish I could do something
to make you look less troubled."

"You can help me, little one, by being happy yourself, and by aiding
Salome in cheering my sister, while I am forced to spend so much time
away from her. Good evening. Take care of yourselves till I come
home."

Humming a bar of a Genoese barcarole, Muriel ran up stairs to join her
governess; but Salome turned and followed the master of the house to
the front door.

"Dr. Grey, can I render you any assistance at 'Solitude'?"

"Thank you,--the time has passed when you might have aided me. Two
weeks ago, when I requested you to go with me, Mrs. Gerome was
rational and would have yielded to your influence, but now she is
delirious and you could accomplish nothing. The servants are faithful
and attentive, and can be trusted during my absence to execute my
orders."

A bright flush rose to Salome's temples, and her eyes drooped beneath
his, so anxious and yet so calmly sad.

"At the time you spoke to me I could not go, but now I really should
be glad to accompany you. Will you take me?"

"No, Salome."

"Your reason, Dr. Grey?"

"Is one whose utterance would pain you, consequently I trust you will
pardon me for withholding it."

"At my own peril, I demand it."

"The motive which prompts your offer precludes the possibility of my
acceptance."

"How dare you sit in judgment on my motives? You who prate and
homilize of charity! charity! and who quote the 'golden rule' solely
for the edifi