forts, lay ill beneath the roof of Gray Gables-the house of al

a fancy basket, heaped high with dew-wet roses of all colors, whose fragr

r best wishes for your reco

ure as he placed the flowers close to his

u herself," continued Mrs. Hill,

hat she was too ill to leave h

r head with a knowi

ght be the case, no doubt, but Miss Farnham is up and d

etter, thank Heaven! Oh, Mrs. Hill, will she be kind enough to

es this morning to persuade her that it would be highly improper for her to visit

ea has been in he

te different. You see, sir-

ry contempt under his mustac

Miss Farnham, say distinctly that I demand an interview. If she refuses I shall

would kill yo

. I will n

self, and departed on her

n't go and pacify him he'll go away sure, and that will be the death of him, for the wound wou

ut she followed Mrs. Hill to the sick-room, somehow

with a new timidity, her face burning, her heart beating wildly, Nita was alone with Dorian

voice thrilled her. Involuntarily, she mov

" he said, holding out an eager hand. She laid hers

r hearts leap and their breath flutter unevenly over their parted lips. They seemed looking not alone in each other's eyes, but into each other's hearts. The veil o

arted back, flushed vividly, and let her eyes falter s

nk me. Only live,

tenderness

re so very, very ill I did not care if I died," and impulsively he kissed the

er whole frame thrilling, and with a st

e and position, and that your sojou

Azalea is making a dead set at me to get it," he rejoined, almost curtly in his vexation. "How I wish no one had recognized me here,

y way, anyhow?" she

o twinkle with the me

h of my purse. Ask Miss Courtney if that is not true," and he smiled with sarcasm that puzzled Nita, but th

t wish me to come in here at all," s

the background because you are so-beautiful-pardon my frankness, won't you? And do say you're not going yet. I want to thank you for these swee

ry smile s

-you might think

you only-beg pardon, Miss Farnham, indeed I did not mean to offend," for she had s

ring with bounding pulses and dreamy bliss throu

that she wa

love, gazed in alarm and surprise at the cold white change that had come ove

tly-but I meant no offens

ge eyes, somber now and grave with secret

rgotten something. I must go-this moment," she answered gently, but incoherently, and almos

id not notice that she had left Dorian Mountcastle's ro

self in a dark, narrow, carpetless corridor, with closed doors fro

ack through his room," she murmured, and pursued her way timorously along the hall, soon losi

om. Ah! there is a narrow door and a dark little stairway. I suppose it will lead me out-doors into the garden," and Nita began to descend the dar