Part 111 (1/2)

'Hem!' said Charles. 'I can't say it sounds comfortable.'

'It is just as I feared!' said Amy. 'Great excitability of brain and nerve, Dr. Mayerne said. All the danger of a brain fever again! Poor Laura! What is to be done?'

Charles was silent.

'It is for want of some one to talk to him,' said Amabel. 'I know how he broods over his sad recollections, and Redclyffe must make it so much worse. If mamma and Laura were but at home to go to him, it might save him, and it would be fearful for him to have another illness, reduced as he is. How I wish he was here!'

'He cannot come, I suppose,' said Charles, 'or he would be in Ireland.'

'Yes. How well Guy knew when he said it would be worse for him than for me! How I wish I could do something now to make up for running away from him in Italy. If I was but at Redclyffe!'

'Do you really wish it?' said Charles, surprised.

'Yes, if I could do him any good.'

'Would you go there?'

'If I had but papa or mamma to go with me.'

'Do you think I should do as well?'

'Charlie!'

'If you think there would be any use in it, and choose to take the trouble of lugging me about the country, I don't see why you should not.'

'Oh! Charlie, how very, kind! How thankful poor Laura will be to you! I do believe it will save him!' cried Amabel, eagerly.

'But, Amy,'--he paused--'shall you like to see Redclyffe?'

'Oh! that is no matter,' said she, quickly. 'I had rather see after Philip than anything. I told you how he was made my charge, you know.

And Laura! Only will it not be too tiring for you?'

'I can't see how it should hurt me. But I forget, what is to be done about your daughter?'

'I don't know what harm it could do her,' said Amy, considering. 'Mrs.

Gresham brought a baby of only three months old from Scotland the other day, and she is six. It surely cannot hurt her, but we will ask Dr.

Mayerne.'

'Mamma will never forgive us if we don't take the doctor into our councils.'

'Arnaud can manage for us. We would sleep in London, and go on by an early train, and we can take our--I mean my--carriage, for the journey after the railroad. It would not be too much for you. How soon could we go?'

'The sooner the better,' said Charles. 'If we are to do him any good, it must be speedily, or it will be a case of shutting the stable-door. Why not to-morrow?'

The project was thoroughly discussed that evening, but still with the feeling as if it could not be real, and when they parted at night they said,--'We will see how the scheme looks in the morning.'

Charles was still wondering whether it was a dream, when the first thing he heard in the court below his window was--

'Here, William, here's a note from my lady for you to take to Dr.