had we not better put in now, Linda said. midnight." Uncle Maurice ?" "I believe you could row about here till "I believe I could," he answered shortly. 66 Come, Tantina, wake up and look at the children as they stand there your boy and Winifred." "Have I been asleep, Maurice ?" Aunt Dorothy said, rousing herself. "Well, there is great excuse for an old woman; and you have all been so quiet. Yes, indeed, we ought to be getting home; we dine at two o'clock today." As they drew near the bank of the lake, Winifred in her riding-habit, leaving her hold of Chrystie's arm, came to meet Rachel as she sprang out of the boat. 66 'Rachel," she said, "I have had a letter from Sarah Day. She says she thinks my father is much worse than my mother wishes me to think. She heard this morning, but the letter was written last evening, and mine was written on Saturday. They are going home this evening; we must go too. I know Sarah Day must be anxious, or she would not have sent this letter by one of the servants who has been to Birkdal for a few days, you know." "Very well, darling," Rachel said, "we will go; a day or two will make no difference, and we shall be a comfort to Aunt Anna." Mr. Buchanan, who was lifting Linda out of the boat, caught the words, "a day or two will make no difference." Then came Chrystie's eager— "You can come back next week if Mr. Pennington is better." But all the party felt that the happy sojourn at Rock Bank was at an end, and that the cloud of coming separation hung over them; and when good-bye is inevitable, then this 'cloud seems to put a stop to all pleasant talk, and lays a heavy constraint upon us, do what we will. "I will see you safely to Birkdal," Mr. Buchanan said; we will leave you, Chrystie, at the station there to meet the train. I have ordered the carriage to be round at five o'clock." CHAPTER VII. A BACKWARD GLANCE. "Go forth and meet her! for her mind WHEN the carriage reached Birkdal, there was just time to deposit Chrystie at the station, and his parting from Winifred was very hasty. "I shall be here on Saturday," were his last words; "and I shall see your father." "Yes," Winifred said, but her face was very pale, and her lips quivered. She was like a flower that shivers under the first breath of the coming storm. Her bright, happy spring, and the crowning joy of Chrystie's love, seemed to be fading from her. Rachel, older even than her years, understood it all, and instinctively Winifred felt it, and put her hand in her cousin's. When they drove up to the door of the Bank House, they found Dr. Evans's carriage there. "Are they come home, Jane?" Winifred asked, as the housemaid appeared. "Yes, Miss Winifred. Dr. Evans met master and mistress at the station." "Is papa very ill ?—is he ?” "Well, he walked upstairs, Miss," Jane replied; "but he seemed very heavy." "I must go to my mother. Where are Sarah Day and Richard-where is Richard ?" Pray control yourself, Winifred;" it was Richard's voice; "and do not add to my father's trouble." Winifred passed her brother with a gesture of impatience, and ran hastily upstairs. Meanwhile Rachel stood in the hall, saw that the luggage was taken in, and gave Richard a cold greeting. Mr. Buchanan was speaking to the coachman, who was anxious that his horses should have an hour's rest before making the return journey to Grasmere. Just as the carriage rumbled off, Sarah Day came tripping down the wide staircase. "Oh! Rachel Fremantle, Dr. Evans would like to see thee, please; he is coming into the drawing-room, if thou wilt go there. Dear, dear! this is very sad. I believe dear Robert Pennington has the fever. So heavy! and when he speaks so wandering! Anna Pennington has been much worn out, and must rest; but what a comfort it is that they are under their own roof." As Sarah Day was speaking, she led the way to the drawing-room, and Rachel and Richard followed. Mr. Buchanan felt that he had no right to intrude on the family consultation, so he stepped out into the garden, and walked away as far from the house as possible, till he came to the Birk, now singing itself to sleep after all its late tumults, with a voice more gentle than that which had attracted Mr. Buchanan's attention on his first visit. With hands folded behind him, and head bent forward, Mr. Buchanan walked up and down for some time, taking little heed of any outward thing. Only the dream upon the lake in the morning seemed to grow ever more and more distinct and tangible. But as the clock struck eight from St. Mary's tower, a gentle touch upon his arm made him start. "In all the trouble and seem to have forgotten you. anxiety," Rachel said, “we Please come back with me to the house, and have some coffee before you return to Grasmere." "What report do you bring ?" Mr. Buchanan asked, instead of responding to Rachel's invitation. "The doctor thinks my uncle is very ill; it is low typhoid fever. He wished to see me about the nursing; he says no one must be allowed to exhaust strength, as these cases are generally tedious. I know it too well. I have seen so much of this sort of illness in the town." "Where have been head nurse, I suppose ?" you "No; that was impossible, but as there was no organized help, I was obliged to do what I could in a desultory fashion. There ought to be trained nurses in every town, and a cottage hospital.” "Of course; women." and the nurses should be gentle "I am so glad you think so," she said, earnestly. "I am going to take charge here. Aunt Anna is too delicate to stand much night nursing, and Winnie far too fragile and sensitive. So Sarah Day and I shall get on together." "I trust you will remember yourself a little, and not overtax your strength." "I am not afraid," she answered; go in now, for they will want me. "but I think I must Winifred and I have had a very happy fortnight at Rock Bank, for which we have to thank you." parting," Mr. Buch "Don't speak as if this were our anan said. "We shall meet again, I hope." Rachel said no more, and it was in silence that they walked up to the house. |