gly for a few moments he transferred
them to a small canvas bag, which he put in his pocket. "Maybe 'twill
all be wanted," he exclaimed, with a happy gleam in his eye; "maybe, and
maybe not, but howsoever it goes, one look at her blessed face will be
worth it all!"

* * * * *

In a pretty, low-ceiled parlour, whose windows looked out upon a
pleasant garden, lay Eily. The wide, old-fashioned sofa was drawn close
to an open window, that she might feel the soft, cool air on her cheeks,
and sniff the fragrance of the mignonette that filled the beds outside.
It was a very thin face that lay upon the soft down pillow, but a slight
tinge of pink on her cheeks told of returning health. Her abundant black
tresses had been ruthlessly shorn away, and tiny curls clustered around
forehead and neck; her eyes, dark as sloes, were large and thoughtful.
Two days before she had been removed from the great London hospital, and
brought by Miss Vandaleur to her father's country-home, where the
kindliest of white-haired house-keepers watched over her beloved Miss
Bee's _protegee_, tending her with gentlest care.

"Good-morning, Eily;" Miss Vandaleur, in a simple morning gown of white,
entered the room.

Eily struggled to her feet. "Good-morning, miss, your honour!"

Bee laughed good-naturedly; it was funny to hear herself addressed by
such a title.

"Now lie still, Eily, you are not quite strong yet. Tell me, are you
happy here?"

"Happy! Arrah, it's like heaven, miss; my blessin' and the blessin' of
God on ye for all your kindness to a poor girl. Shure, but for yourself
I would have been in me grave this day."

[Sidenote: "Is there no one else?"]

"I am glad you are happy, Eily; but is there no one you would like to
see, no one from home, I mean? Just say the word; perhaps I can manage
it," she said slyly.

"Shure there's me mother--maybe me father too; but you could scarce get
them here, miss--beggin' your honour's pardon," she added hastily.

"Is there no one else, Eily? no one that you think of sometimes--no one
who was kind to you, and loved you dearly?" Bee was leaning over the wan
face eagerly, and what she saw for answer was a deep crimson flush that
covered face, neck, and brow, while tears rolled down the cheeks. Eily
had been thinking of Dermot continually of late, wishing with all her
heart that she had not so scorned his love; she had learnt many lessons
in the quiet watches of the ni