t your wedding-dress, Amy?'

'Oh, no; that was all lace and finery.'

'You look so nice and bridal--'

'There's a compliment that such an old wife ought to make the most of,
Amy,' said Guy, looking at her with a certain proud satisfaction in
Philip's admiration. 'It is high time to leave off calling you a bride,
after your splendid appearance at the party at Munich, in all your
whiteness and orange-flowers.'

'That was quite enough of it,' said Amy, smiling.

'Not at all,' said Philip; 'you have all your troubles in the visiting
line to come, when you go home.'

'Ah! you know the people, and will be a great help to us,' said Amy,
and Guy was much pleased to hear her taking a voluntary share in the
invitation, knowing as he did that she only half liked it.

'Thank you; we shall see,' replied Philip.

'Yes; we shall see when you are fit for the journey, and it will not be
long before we can begin, by short stages. You have got on wonderfully
in the last few days. How do you think he is looking, Amy?' finished
Guy, with an air of triumph, that was rather amusing, considering what a
pale skeleton face he was regarding with so much satisfaction.

'I dare say he is looking much mended,' said Amy; 'but you must not
expect me to see it.'

'You can't get a compliment for me, Guy,' said Philip. 'I was a good
deal surprised when Arnaud brought me the glass this morning.'

'It is a pity you did not see yourself a week ago,' said Guy, shaking
his head drolly.

'It is certain, as the French doctor says, that monsieur has a very
vigorous constitution.'

'Charles says, having a good constitution is only another name for
undergoing every possible malady,' said Amy.

'Rather good' said Guy; 'for I certainly find it answer very well to
have none at all.'

'Haven't you?' said Amy, rather startled.

'Or how do you know?' said Philip; 'especially as you never were ill.'

'It is a dictum of old Walters, the Moorworth doctor, the last time
I had anything to do with him, when I was a small child. I suppose I
remembered it for its oracular sound, and because I was not intended
to listen. He was talking over with Markham some illness I had just got
through, and wound up with, "He may be healthy and active now; but he
has no constitution, there is a tendency to low fever, and if he meets
with any severe illness, it will go hard with him."'

'How glad I am I did not know that before' cried Amy.

'Did you remember it when you