y time since his arrival in Corfu. He was unable to write, but
Colonel Deane had undertaken to write to Mrs. Henley to announce his
coming; and as the cause of his silence must be known at Hollywell, he
resolved to let Amabel's letter wait for a reply till his arrival in
England.

It was on a chilly day in February that Mrs. Henley drove to the station
to meet her brother, looking forward with a sister's satisfaction to
nursing his recovery, and feeling (for she had a heart, after all) as if
it was a renewal of the days, which she regarded with a tenderness mixed
with contempt, when all was confidence between the brother and sister,
the days of nonsense and romance. She hoped that now poor Philip, who
had acted hastily on his romance, and ruined his own prospects for her
sake in his boyish days, had a chance of having it all made up to him,
and reigning at Redclyffe according to her darling wish.

As she anxiously watched the arrival of the train, she recognized
Mr. Thorndale, whom she had known in his school-days as Philip's
protege--but could that be her brother? It was his height, indeed; but
his slow weary step as he crossed the platform, and left the care of his
baggage to others, was so unlike his prompt, independent air, that
she could hardly believe it to be himself, till, with his friend, he
actually advanced to the carriage, and then she saw far deeper traces
of illness than she was prepared for. A confusion of words took place;
greetings on one hand, and partings on the other, for James Thorndale
was going on by the train, and made only a few minutes' halt in which to
assure Mrs. Henley that though the landing and the journey had knocked
up his patient to-day, he was much better since leaving Corfu, and to
beg Philip to write as soon as possible. The bell rang, he rushed back,
and was whirled away.

'Then you are better,' said Mrs. Henley, anxiously surveying her
brother. 'You are sadly altered! You must let us take good care of you.'

'Thank you! I knew you would be ready to receive me, though I fear I am
not very good company.'

'Say no more, my dearest brother. You know both Dr. Henley and myself
have made it our first object that our house should be your home.'

'Thank you.'

'This salubrious air must benefit you,' she added. 'How thin you are!
Are you very much fatigued?'

'Rather,' said Philip, who was leaning back wearily; but the next moment
he exclaimed, 'What do you hear from Hollywell?'