please me? We all want so much to get you better.'

'Yes, if you will not tell him about Howel. I must get well, for it may
be a long, long journey. Do you know that I dreamt last night that he
sent for me, and that I was to travel thousands of miles before I met
him. I must get well, so I will see your friend, Rowland, only don't
tell him my name. Minette, go with Mrs Saunders, whilst mamma sees Uncle
Rowland's friend.'

Mrs Saunders took Minette away, and Mr Wenlock, a gentle-looking,
elderly medical man, a great friend of Rowland's, made his appearance.

Netta rose with a little attempt at her Parisian curtsey, and an effort
to assume her Abertewey manners; but she soon forgot her grandeur when
the doctor spoke to her in a soothing, fatherly way, and won her to
confide her long-concealed illness to him. Rowland left them together,
and went down to Mrs Saunders' parlour to amuse his little niece.

In something less-than half-an-hour he was joined by Mr Wenlock, who
took Minette on his knee, and looked at her thin cheeks and hollow eyes,
felt her weak pulse, and asked her many questions.

When she went upstairs to her mother, Mr Wenlock said,--

'The poor lady is very ill, dangerously, I fear. She must have had some
heavy sorrows for years to have reduced her to her present state of
nervousness, nearly amounting to insanity, but not quite. This may yet
be warded off with great care, total freedom from all excitement, and
change of air and scene. She has heart complaint of an alarming nature.
This can never be cured; but if her strength can be restored, she may
live for years--her natural life, in short--or she may be taken at any
moment. Any sudden shock would probably be fatal.'

Rowland had not told Mr Wenlock that Netta was his sister. When he heard
his opinion, so clearly and unreservedly expressed, he was greatly
distressed.

'She will not be moved from these lodgings,' he said. 'She positively
refuses. Will it do to oblige her to leave?'

'By no means. But I hear that admirable young woman, whom I call _our_
Sister of Charity, Miss Gladys, has undertaken to nurse her. If any one
can persuade her to submit to go elsewhere she will do it. It should be
into the country. To her native air, if possible.'

Just at this juncture, Gladys returned, and Rowland called her into the
consultation. Mr Wenlock continued,--

'Lead her to think of her child, who is also in a most delicate state.
Tell her, that change