in making this poor district
better was now overshadowed by the unendurable thought of what her
promise entailed.

Presently the Doctor came in alone, Colonel Eden having gone to write a
letter he wished to send by late post. He came forward at first gladly,
then timidly, repelled by the girl's cold expression as she stood by the
fire in her long white dress. She felt that her only chance of avoiding
dangerous topics was in plunging into the subject of their mutual
patients.

"Did Regan find you in time to bring you to his father?" she asked.

"He found me," said the Doctor; "but I told him I couldn't come before
to-morrow as I was to dine here. I thought there was no occasion for
hurry."

"But did he tell you how much depends on his father's life?" said
Louise, unconsciously glad to find something definite at which she might
show displeasure. "Do you not know of the unjust will he has made, and
that if he dies now his son will be disinherited?"

"He was telling me about it, but there's no danger of his dying yet
awhile," answered the Doctor, unaware of the gathering storm. "That old
man has a habit of dying; he was often like that before."

"I thought it was your duty to go at once when you are told there is
urgent necessity," said Louise, with heightened colour; "and until now I
thought it was your pleasure also."

"I'd have gone quick enough, Miss Eden, if I'd known _you_ were so
anxious about it," was the rather unfortunate reply; "and I'll go now
this minute if you wish me to."

"My wishes are not in question," said the girl, yielding to the
irritation she felt against herself and against him; "but if you neglect
the call of the dying on such a trivial plea as a dinner invitation, I
do not think you are justified in holding the position you do."

Colonel Eden at this moment came in, and the Doctor, feeling he had
given offence, but rather puzzled as to the cause, asked at once that
his car might be ordered, as he had to go and see a patient some way
off.

"So late, and on such a dark night!" said the Colonel, good-naturedly;
"surely he could wait till to-morrow. Don't you think so, Louise?"

"I have no opinion to give on the matter," said his sister, coldly.

She was now really vexed by the young man's quick obedience to what he
interpreted to be her wish. He had no sooner taken leave than she went
to her room and burst into sobs of mortified pride and real perplexity.

A day or two passed by during