"Yes, so long as they believe a cure to be only alleged; but where one
is convinced that previously hopeless conditions have been healed, and
it does happen once in a while, they are glad of it, I'm confident. We
haven't a finer, broader minded class of men in our country than our
physicians."

"I think so," agreed Mrs. Evringham, drawing herself up with a fleeting
vision of the Ballard place on Mountain Avenue.

"But they are not the wealthiest at the start," said Nat. "Is it
possible that you are allowing Eloise to ride unchaperoned with a young
physician?"

Mrs. Evringham did not remark the threatening curves at the corners of
the speaker's lips.

"Oh, this one is different," she returned seriously; "very fine
connections, and substantial in _every_ way."

Her companion threw back his head and laughed frankly.

"We have to smile at each other once in a while, don't we, Mrs.
Evringham?" he said, in the light, caressing manner which had for a few
years been one of her chief worries; "but all the same, you're fond of
me just as long as I don't forget my place, eh? You're glad to see me?"

"You know I am." Mrs. Evringham pressed her hand against the laces over
her heart. "Such a bittersweet feeling comes over me at the very tones
of your voice. Oh, the happy past, Nat! Gone forever!" She touched a
dainty handkerchief to her eyes. "I suppose your mother is still in her
apartment?"

"She has taken a place at View Point for the summer, and has set her
heart on a long visit from you."

"How very kind of her," responded Mrs. Evringham with genuine gratitude.
"I don't know what father means to do in the hot weather or whether
he--or whether I should wish to go with him. Your mother and I always
enjoyed each other, when she was sufficiently free from suffering."

"That time is always now," returned Nat, a fullness of gratitude in his
voice.

His companion looked at him curiously. "I can't realize it."

"Come and see," was his reply.

"I will, I certainly will. I shall anticipate it with great pleasure."

A very convenient place to prepare a part of Eloise's trousseau, Mrs.
Evringham was considering, and the girl safely engaged, Nat's presence
would have no terrors. "You think you are really getting into a good
business arrangement now?" she asked aloud.

"Very. I wake up in the morning wondering at my own good fortune."

"I am so glad, my dear boy," responded the other sympathetically.
"Perhaps, after all, y