t have
failed.

"But, John," said Christie, at last, "what was it that Davie McIntyre
was telling me about Mr Portman's failure? Is it really true? and has
he left his wife and little children and gone--nobody knows where?"

"Yes, it is too true," John said, and added many painful particulars,
which he never would have given if he had had his wits about him.
Christie's next question recalled them, with a shock which was not
altogether pleasant.

"Was it not Mr Portman who had Aunt Elsie's money? Then she has lost
it, I suppose?"

"Yes, it's too true," said John, with an uncomfortable conviction that
Effie would far rather her little sister had not heard of it yet. He
did not say so, however, and there was a long silence.

"I wonder what Effie will do?" said Christie, at last.

"Now, Christie, my woman," said John, rather more hastily than was his
habit, "you are not going to vex yourself about this matter. You know,
if anybody can manage matters well, your sister Effie can; and she has a
great many friends to stand between her and serious trouble. And I
don't believe she intended that you should know anything about this--at
any rate, until you were safe at home."

Christie was sure of that. There was no one like Effie. John could
tell her nothing new about her goodness. But if it had been needful
that they should be separated before, it was still more necessary now
that she should be doing her part; and she intimated as much to John.

"But you must mind that Effie was never clear about your leaving home.
If she had had her way, you never would have left."

"I am very glad I came," was all that Christie replied, but in a little
while she added, "John, I think, on the whole, you may as well take all
the things home with you, if you can. The sooner they get them the
better; and something may happen to hinder me."

"Christie," said John, gravely, "Effie has set her heart on your coming
home this summer. It would grieve her sorely to be disappointed. You
are not going to disappoint her?"

"I don't know," said Christie, slowly. "I'm sure Effie would rather I
should do what is right than what is pleasant."

"But you are not well, Christie. You are not strong enough to live as
you have been living--at least, without a rest. It would grieve Effie
to see how pale and thin you are."

"I am not very strong, I know, but I shall have an easier time now; and
if Mrs Lee should take the children to the coun