opposite her brother cutting open the leaves of one of
the books of the club over which she presided. She felt that this was
something like attaining one of the objects for which she used to say
and think she married,--namely, to be able to receive her brother in a
comfortable home. If only he would but look more like himself.

'Do you like a cushion for your head, Philip? Is it better?'

'Better since morning, thank you.'

'Did those headaches come on before your second illness?'

'I can't distinctly remember.'

'Ah! I cannot think how the Edmonstones could leave you. I shall always
blame them for that relapse.'

'It had nothing to do with it. Their remaining was impossible.'

'On Amabel's account? No, poor thing, I don't blame her, for she must
have been quite helpless; but it was exactly like my aunt, to have but
one idea at a time. Charles used to be the idol, and now it is Amy, I
suppose.'

'If anything could have made it more intolerable for me, it would have
been detaining them there for my sake, at such a time.'

'Ah! I felt a great deal for you. You must have been very sorry for that
poor little Amy. She was very kind in writing while you were ill. How
did she contrive, poor child? I suppose you took all the head work for
her?'

'I? I was nothing but a burden.'

'Were you still so very ill?' said Margaret, tenderly. 'I am sure you
must have been neglected.'

'Would that I had!' muttered Philip, so low that she did not catch the
words. Then aloud,--'No care could have been greater than was taken for
me. It was as if no one had been ill but myself, and the whole thought
of every one had been for me.'

'Then Amabel managed well, poor thing! We do sometimes see those weak
soft characters--'

'Sister!' he interrupted.'

'Have not you told me so yourself?'

'I was a fool, or worse,' said he, in a tone of suffering. 'No words can
describe what she proved herself.'

'Self-possessed? energetic?' asked Mrs. Henley, with whom those were the
first of qualities; and as her brother paused from repugnance to speak
of Amabel to one so little capable of comprehending her, she proceeded:
'No doubt she did the best she could, but she must have been quite
inexperienced. It was a very young thing in the poor youth to make her
executrix. I wonder the will was valid; but I suppose you took care of
that.'

'I did nothing.'

'Did you see it?'

'My uncle showed it to me.'

'Then you can tell me what I want t