at fondness, and
longed that she should come and stay with her; but Laura could not leave
her mother at this juncture. Worn out by constant watching over
Arthur's health, Helen's own had suffered very considerably; and Doctor
Goodenough had had reason to prescribe for her as well as for his
younger patient.

Old Pendennis started up on the entrance of the young lady. His slumbers
were easily broken. He made her a gallant speech--he had been full of
gallantry towards her of late. Where had she been gathering those roses
which she wore on her cheeks? How happy he was to be disturbed out of
his dreams by such a charming reality! Laura had plenty of humour and
honesty; and these two caused her to have on her side something very
like a contempt for the old gentleman. It delighted her to draw out his
worldlinesses, and to make the old habitue of clubs and drawing-rooms
tell his twaddling tales about great folks, and expound his views of
morals.

Not in this instance, however, was she disposed to be satirical. She had
been to drive with Lady Rockminster in the Park, she said; and she had
brought home game for Pen, and flowers for mamma. She looked very grave
about mamma. She had just been with Mrs. Pendennis. Helen was very much
worn, and she feared she was very, very ill. Her large eyes filled with
tender marks of the sympathy which she felt in her beloved friend's
condition. She was alarmed about her. Could not that good--that dear Dr.
Goodenough cure her?

"Arthur's illness, and other mental anxiety," the Major slowly said,
"had, no doubt, shaken Helen." A burning blush upon the girl's face
showed that she understood the old man's allusion. But she looked him
full in the face and made no reply. "He might have spared me that," she
thought. "What is he aiming at in recalling that shame to me?"

That he had an aim in view is very possible. The old diplomatist seldom
spoke without some such end. Doctor Goodenough had talked to him, he
said, about their dear friend's health, and she wanted rest and change
of scene--yes, change of scene. Painful circumstances which had occurred
must be forgotten and never alluded to; he begged pardon for even
hinting at them to Miss Bell--he never should do so again--nor, he was
sure, would she. Everything must be done to soothe and comfort their
friend, and his proposal was that they should go abroad for the autumn
to a watering-place in the Rhine neighbourhood, where Helen might rally
her