ian
sprang up to meet her.

"My dear child, why have you come out here against all orders?"

Mrs. Fabian Rockharrt saluted all the company at the breakfast, who had
risen to receive her, and then replied to her husband's question.

"I have come to see how our father is. It was twelve o'clock last night
when your messenger arrived at the Banks and told me that you would not
be able to return that night, because an accident had happened to Mr.
Rockharrt. Not a dangerous one, but yet one that would keep you with him
for some hours. I know very well how accidents are smoothed over in
being reported to women; so I was not reassured by that clause, and I
would have set out for Rockhold immediately if it had not been a
starless midnight, making the road dangerous to others as well as
myself. But I was up at daybreak to start this morning, and here I am."

"Sit down, my child; sit down. You look pale and tired. Ah! did not our
good doctor here forbid you taking long walks or rides?"

"I know, Fabian; but sometimes a woman must be a law to herself. It was
my duty to come in person and inquire after our father; so I came, even
against orders," said Violet, composedly.

"Now look at that little creature, doctor. She seems as soft as a dove,
as gentle as a lamb; but she is perfectly lawless. She defies me, abuses
me, and upon occasion thrashes me. Would you believe it of her?"
demanded Mr. Fabian, gazing with pride and delight on his good little
wife.

"Oh, yes; I can quite believe it. She looks a perfect shrew, vixen,
virago! Oh, how I pity you, Mr. Fabian!" said the doctor.

Cora filled out a cup of coffee and brought it to the visitor,
whispering:

"I am glad you came, Violet. I do not believe it will hurt you one bit
in any way."

"Can I see father? I want to see for myself, and to kiss him, and tell
him how sorry I am; and I want to help to nurse him. Say, can I see
him?"

"Not just now, dear. None of us have seen him since he was put to bed
last evening except the doctor and the nurse; but in the course of the
day you may. You will spend the day with us?" Cora inquired.

"I will spend the day and the night, and to-morrow and to-morrow night,
and this week and next week, and just as long as I can be helpful and
useful to father, if you and mamma there will permit me. And, by the
way, I have not kissed mamma yet. Only shaken hands with her." And so
saying, Violet put down her untasted cup of coffee, went around t