also to indicate that he wished to be alone-as,

indeed, he did.

'I will leave you, sir,' continued the Doctor, gravely, 'to your own thoughts, which should be happy ones if the reflection of having performed a noble and unselfish action can give happiness.' And with a cordial grasp of his large hand he left Mr. Josceline to his meditations.

These were not altogether of the kind that his visitor had anticipated; though, on the whole, as he had hinted, they conferred considerable satisfaction.

'I am right, I am surely right,' murmured Mr. Josceline to himself; such an opportunity as this should not be let slip. My time is short; the risk is small; the prize is great.'

69

CHAPTER XXII.

THE INVITATION.

THE company at the table-d'hôte that day were much diminished in numbers. Some intending lodgers who had arrived at the hotel, on hearing that there was risk of fever, had instantly taken their departure, so that there were no new recruits; while the absence of Ella and of Mr. Aird and of his son from one side of the table, and of Mrs. Wallace from the other, made very melancholy gaps. Felspar and Vernon, in consequence of the latter's ailment, also failed to present themselves, so the guest-roll at the Ultramarine was limited to eight persons. This, however, had the effect of making them more like a family party than ever, while the subject of conversation, being of course little Davey's illness, drew them in some respects still nearer

together by reason of its unusual seriousness. The degrees of acquaintanceship vary less in proportion to the frequency of meeting than of our common interest in the matters discussed. This circumstance, it is true, did not mitigate the hostile feeling between Mrs. Armytage and Mrs. Jennynge; they were Irreconcilables, and would have quarrelled on the same raft after a shipwreck; but it made the relations with each of these ladies and the rest of the party decidedly more close and familiar. All, too, were agreed that the conduct of the grand-daughter of the Earl of Boroughby in exposing herself to the dangers of infection for the sake of little Davey was above all praise. Miss Jennynge was especially loud in her commendations, which were also so far genuine that she thought Ella could not have done better than have thus cut herself off from society, and left her (Anastasia) in possession of the field.

'I only hope,' said Mrs. Armytage, 'that Miss Josceline will find herself repaid; but I am afraid our Indian friend is not very gracious, while the poor child-though, indeed, it is not

his fault is sadly spoilt, and likely to turn out a very troublesome patient.'

'I hope,' said Mr. Josceline, smiling

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gravely, that my daughter has no expectation of any reward save that which is derived from the consciousness of having done her duty.'

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I am sure she has not,' said Mrs. Jennynge, eagerly.

'Goodness gracious! what other expectation could she have?' observed Mrs. Armytage, sharply. The impudence of the woman,' as she afterwards expressed it, in thus volunteering a corroboration of Mr. Josceline's sentiments, 'really surpassed everything.'

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'And in acknowledging Miss Joceline's goodness,' continued Mrs. Jennynge, bent on recommending herself to the attention of the brother of the Earl of Boroughby, we must not forget the self-sacrifice which her father has shown in the matter. He has not only exposed his daughter to a frightful risk, but voluntarily deprived himself of her society.'

In that respect Mr. Wallace has sacrificed. himself as much as I have,' said Mr. Josceline, modestly.

'Whatever my wife thinks it right to do is right,' observed the farmer, simply,' and ought to satisfy me.'

'Very proper,' 'a very sensible observation,' 'just so,' murmured the company. They had no objection to Mr. Wallace entertaining such noble sentiments, or any others; but the idea of his supposing his case to be a parallel one with that of the Hon. George Emilius Josceline struck them as absurd to the last degree. Earls' grand-daughters are rare, while the supply of farmers' wives (should anything happen to one of them) is practically unlimited.

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'I have just heard from Dr. Cooper,' continued Mr. Wallace, that both Mr. Felspar and Mr. Vernon offered their services to him to help nurse the little fellow.'

'Deuced kind of them,' muttered Mr. Percival Lott, twirling his moustaches. 'Let us hope they were not moved to play the part of Good Samaritans by the fact that Miss Josceline had undertaken that of Miss Nightingale.'

For shame, Percy!' exclaimed the suspected bride; 'Mr. Josceline will hear you.