first words as
he entered the room. There was unmistakable eagerness in his tone.
"If you do not want Livy to cry out her eyes with disappointment, and
if I am to have a peaceful moment for the next six months, I entreat
you to consent."

"Am I likely to refuse, Marcus?" But Aunt Madge's voice was not so
clear as usual. "Don't you think that I shall love to have you and
Livy caring for me? so it is 'yes,' and God bless you both." And a
slow tear rolled down Aunt Madge's pale face.

Marcus and Olivia never repented that step. As the years went on and
other children's voices were heard in the house at Brunswick Place,
when three sturdy, boys climbed up on Dr. Luttrell's knees, and two
small, brown-eyed girls toddled after mother, Aunt Madge's room was the
heart and nucleus of the busy household.

There would come Marcus for a greeting word and a jest before he set
off on his day's round, and there Olivia would betake herself for a
rest and a chat. When her household tasks had been despatched, she
seldom found Aunt Madge alone; Nigel or Hugh would have brought her
their kites to mend, or to beg that Deb would make them new sails for
their boat, and, of course, where Nigel went, fat, sturdy Ronald
followed.

Or the twins would be playing with their Japanese babies on the carpet,
or rolling over each other and Zoe (not the same Zoe, alas!) like
kittens. But the most frequent visitor was Dot, dimpled and winsome as
ever.

Olivia had verified Aunt Madge's words. She had grown a little stouter
and more matronly, and had become a fine-looking woman, but the eyes
were as frank and kindly as ever, and one only needed to look at her to
find out that she was thoroughly in harmony with her environment.

And Madge Broderick was happy, although the years of her widowhood and
banishment stretched out indefinitely.

"You will make an old woman yet," Dr. Randolph often told her, but she
had ceased to wince when he said it as though a cold hand had struck
her.

And year by year a deep peacefulness steals over the dear face, and the
ring of cheerfulness in the full, mellow voice grows stronger. "I have
two lovely homes, Livy," she would say. "One here with you and Marcus
and the darling children, and one in the 'many mansions,' where Fergus
and baby boy wait for me." And as she said this a radiant smile would
light her features like sunshine.

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DOCTOR LUTTRELL'S FIRST PATIENT**