e going home so suddenly, Cora, dear? I am so sorry the father
is not feeling well that I cannot even ask you to stay here a moment
longer. Give my love to the father, and tell him if he does not get
better in a day or two I shall be sure to come and nurse him."

She could not rise without disturbing her precious baby, but she raised
her head and put up her lips, that Cora might kiss her good-by. Then
Cora followed her uncle down stairs, and in five minutes more they were
seated in the carriage, slowly winding their way down the dangerous
mountain pass to the river road that led to Rockhold.

"Uncle Fabian," said Corona, gravely, "I have been trying to think what
is right for me to do. This sorrowful news took me so completely by
surprise, and your directions were so prompt and peremptory, that I had
not a moment for reflection; so that I followed your lead automatically.
But now, Uncle Fabian, I have considered, and I ask you as I have asked
myself--am I right in going back to Rockhold, after my grandfather has
sent me away, and forbidden me ever to return? Tell me, Uncle Fabian."

"My dear, what do you yourself wish to do?" he inquired.

"To return to Rockhold and nurse my grandfather, if he will allow me to
do so."

"Then by all means do so."

"But, Uncle Fabian--against my grandfather's express command?"

"Good Heaven, girl!" Those 'commands' were issued by a well and angry
man. You are returning to minister to an ill and perhaps a dying one."

"Still, Uncle Fabian, would it not seem to be taking advantage of my
grandfather's helpless state to return now, after he had forbidden me to
enter his house? I think it would. And the more I reflect upon the
subject, the surer I feel that I ought not to enter Rockhold unbidden.
And--I will not."

"You will not! What! Can you show resentment to your stricken--it may be
dying--grandfather?"

"Heaven forbid! But I must not disobey his injunction, now that he is
too helpless to prevent me. No, Uncle Fabian, I must not enter the
house. But neither will I be far from it. I will remain within call."

"Where?"

"At the ferryman's cottage. Will you, Uncle Fabian, as soon as you have
an opportunity, say that I am deeply grieved for all that has estranged
us. Will you ask him to forgive me and let me come to him?"

"Yes; I will do so, my dear, if there is an opportunity. But, Cora, I
think you are morbidly scrupulous. I think that you should come to the
house. He may wis