rresistible force of tearful eyes and
piteous descriptions; and as Terry had a week's start in recovery,
and was not a widow under twenty-two, he had to submit, and lie as
contentedly as he could in his solitude.

Susan could be better spared to Cecil's morbid fancy of being waited
on by her who had attended her husband, for Miles and Anne were
sufficient for Mrs. Poynsett and Frank. The long-sundered husband
and wife scarcely saw each other, except over Frank's bed, and Mr.
Charnock was on the Captain's hands whenever he came beyond it. On
the Wednesday, however, Julius, who had only once spoken to his
brother alone, came up to the breakfast-table where he and Mr.
Charnock were sitting, and hurt the feelings of the latter by first
asking for Frank. "He had slept all night, and only half woke when
Miles and Anne changed watch and gave him beef-tea. Cecil, very
moaning and restless--more fever about her, poor dear. When would
Lady Rosamond come up?--she was asking for her." When she had seen
to a few things at home, given her brother his breakfast, and seen
to poor Herbert; he had had a dreadful night, and that Cranstoun
_would_ shut the window unless some one defended him. Mr. Charnock
began to resume his daughter's symptoms, when Julius, at the first
pause, said:

"Have you finished, Miles? Could you speak to me in the library a
minute? I beg your pardon, Mr. Charnock, but my time is short."

"I hope--I quite understand. Do not let me be in your way." And
the brothers repaired to the library, where Julius's first words
were, "Miles, you must make up your mind. They are getting up a
requisition to you to stand for Wil'sbro'."

"To me?"

"You are the most obvious person, and the feeling for dear Raymond
is so strong as to prevent any contest. Whitlock told Bindon
yesterday that you should have no trouble."

"I can't. It is absurd. I know nothing about it. My poor mother
bred up Raymond for nothing else. Don't you remember how she made
him read history, volumes upon volumes, while I was learning nothing
but the ropes? I declare, Julius, there he goes."

"Who?"

"Why, that old ass, down to hunt up poor Rosamond; I don't believe
he thinks there's any one in the world but his daughter. I declare
I'll hail him and stop him."

"No, no, Miles, Rosamond can take care of herself. She won't come
till she has seen to her patients down there; and, after all,
Cecil's is the saddest case, poor thing.