in Rose and me."

"I have ventured on the extravagance of taking the ponies and little
carriage off my brother's hands, it is low enough for you, and I shall
teach Rose to ride one of the ponies with me."

"The dear little Rose! But, Colin, there is a dreadful whisper about
her going with her father, and Ailie too! You see now his character is
cleared, he has been offered a really lucrative post, so that he could
have them with him."

"Does he wish it?"

"I dare not ask. I must be passive or I shall be selfish. You are all
my world, and Edward has no one. Make them settle it without me. Talk of
something else! Tell me how your brother is to be taken care of."

"There cannot be a better nurse than Alick Keith; and Ferguson, the
agent, is there, getting directions from Keith whenever he can bear it.
I am best out of the way of all that. I have said once for all that I
will do anything for them except live at Gowanbrae, and I am sick of
demonstrating that the poor child's existence is the greatest possible
relief to me; and I hope now not to go back till the whole is settled
and done with."

"You look regularly worn out with the discussions!"

"It was an endless business! The only refreshment was in now and then
getting over to Bishopsworthy."

"What? to Rachel?" said Ermine archly.

"Rachel is showing to great advantage. I did not think it was in her to
be so devoted to the child, and it is beautiful to see her and Mr. Clare
together."

"There's a triumph," said Ermine, smiling. "Do you grant that the happy
medium is reached, that Alick should learn to open his eyes and Rachel
to shut hers?"

"Well! Her eyes are better, but he, poor lad, has been in no spirits
to open his very wide. The loss of his sister went very deep, and
those aguish attacks, though they become much slighter, make him look
wretchedly ill. I should have doubted about leaving him in charge in his
present state, but that he was urgent on me, and he is spared all the
night nursing. Any way, I must not leave him longer than I can help. I
may have one week with you at home--at our home, Ermine."

"And let us make the most of that," said Ermine, quickly.

Meanwhile Alison, sore and sick at heart, wandered on the esplanade,
foreboding that the blow was coming that she ought to rejoice at, if her
love could only be more unselfish. At last the Colonel joined her, and,
as usual, his tone of consideration cheered and supported her when in
actual