address. Norman has been looking at it, and
I hope you will not think it too strong," and she turned, so that the
light might fall on the paper.

"Let me see," said Dr. May, holding out his hand for it.

"This is a rough copy, too much scratched for you to make out."

She read it accordingly, and her father admired it exceedingly--Norman's
touches, above all; and Flora's reading had dovetailed all so neatly
together that no one knew where the joins were. "I will copy it fairly,"
she said, "if you will show it to Dr. Spencer, and ask whether he thinks
it too strong. Mr. Dodsley too; he would be more gratified if he saw it
first, in private, and thought himself consulted."

Dr. May was dismayed at seeing her take up her pen, make a desk of her
blotting-book, and begin her copy by firelight.

"Flora, my dear," he said, "this must not be. Have I not told you that
you must be content to rest?"

"I did not get up till ten o'clock, and have been lying here ever
since."

"But what has this head of yours been doing? Has it been resting for ten
minutes together? Now I know what I am saying, Flora--I warn you, that
if you will not give yourself needful quiet now, you will suffer for it
by and by."

Flora smiled, and said, "I thought I had been very good. But, what is to
be done when one's wits will work, and there is work for them to do?"

"Is not there work enough for them here?" said Dr. May, looking at the
babe. "Your mother used to value such a retirement from care."

Flora was silent for a minute, then said, "Mr. Esdaile should have
put off his resignation to suit me. It is an unfortunate time for the
election."

"And you can't let the election alone?"

She shook her head, and smiled a negative, as if she would, but that she
was under a necessity.

"My dear, if the election cannot go on without you, it had better not go
on at all."

She looked very much hurt, and turned away her head.

Her father was grieved. "My dear," he added, "I know you desire to be of
use, especially to George; but do you not believe that he would rather
fail, than that you, or his child, should suffer?"

No answer.

"Does he stand by his own wish, or yours, Flora?"

"He wishes it. It is his duty," said Flora, collecting her dignity.

"I can say no more, except to beg him not to let you exert yourself."

Accordingly, when George came home, the doctor read him a lecture on his
wife's over-busy brain; and was listened to, as usua