but Dr. Mayerne says it is nothing, and you know'--she blushed
and looked down--'there were many things to make this a trying time.'

'Is she quite strong? Can she do as much as usual?'

'She does more than ever: mamma is only afraid of her overworking
herself, but she never allows that she is tired. She goes to school
three days in the week, besides walking to East-hill on Thursday, to
help in the singing; and she is getting dreadfully learned. Guy gave her
his old mathematical books, and Charlie always calls her Miss Parabola.'

Philip was silent, knowing too well why she sought to stifle care in
employment; and feeling embittered against the whole world, against her
father, against his own circumstances, against the happiness of others;
nay, perhaps, against the Providence which had made him what he was.

Presently Guy came in, and the first thing he said was, 'I am afraid we
must give up our plan.'

'How?' exclaimed both Philip and Amy.

'I have just heard that there is a fever at Sondrio, and all that
neighbourhood, and every one says it would be very foolish to expose
ourselves to it.'

'What shall we do instead?' said Amy.

'I told Arnaud we would let him know in an hour's time; I thought of
Venice.'

'Venice, oh, yes, delightful.'

'What do you say, Philip?' said Guy.

'I say that I cannot see any occasion for our being frightened out of
our original determination. If a fever prevails among the half-starved
peasantry, it need not affect well-fed healthy persons, merely passing
through the country.'

'You see we could hardly manage without sleeping there,' said Guy: 'we
must sleep either at Colico, or at Madonna. Now Colico, they say, is a
most unhealthy place at this time of year, and Madonna is the very
heart of the fever--Sondrio not much better. I don't see how it is to
be safely done; and though very likely we might not catch the fever, I
don't see any use in trying.'

'That is making yourself a slave to the fear of infection.'

'I don't know what purpose would be answered by running the risk,' said
Guy.

'If you chose to give it so dignified a name as a risk,' said Philip.

'I don't, then,' said Guy, smiling. 'I should not care if there was
any reason for going there, but, as there is not, I shall face Mr.
Edmonstone better if I don't run Amy into any more chances of mischief.'

'Is Amy grateful for the care,' said Philip, 'after all her wishes for
the eastern bank?'

'Amy is a good