passed, he seemed to be on a different footing. He was doing his work steadily, and the hope of his sister's recovery had brightened him. Mr. White had begun to talk to him, to ask him questions about the doings of the day, and to tell him in return some of his own experiences in Italy, and in the earlier days of the town. Maura came up to see her sister every day, and tranquillised her mind when the move was explained, and anxiety as to the transport of all their worldly goods began to set in. Mrs. Lee had found a house where she could place two bedrooms and a sitting-room at the disposal of the Whites if things were to continue as before, and no hint had been given of any change, or of what was to happen when the three months' notice given to Kalliope and Alexis should have expired.
By the Easter holidays Mrs. Halfpenny began to get rather restless as to the overlooking of the boys' wardrobes; and, indeed, she thought so well of her patient's progress as to suggest to Mr. White that the lassie would do very well if she had her sister to be with her in the holidays, and she herself would come up every day to help at the getting up, for Kalliope was now able to be dressed and to lie on a couch in the dressing-room, where she could look out over the bay, and she had even asked for some knitting.
'And really, Miss Gillian, you could not do her much harm if you came up to see her,' said the despot. 'So you may come this very afternoon, if ye'll be douce, and not fash her with any of your cantrips.'
Gillian did not feel at all in a mood for cantrips as she slowly walked up the broad staircase, and was ushered into the dressing- room, cheerful with bright fire and April sunshine, and with a large comfortable sofa covered with a bright rug, where Kalliope could enjoy both window and fire without glare. The beauty of her face so much depended on form and expression that her illness had not lessened it. Gillian had scarcely seen her since the autumn, and the first feeling was what an air of rest and peace had succeeded the worn, harassed look then almost perpetual. There was a calmness now that far better suited the noble forehead, dark pencilled eyebrows, and classical features in their clear paleness; and with a sort of reverence Gillian bent over her, to kiss her and give her a bunch of violets. Then, when the thanks had passed, Gillian relieved her own shyness by exclaiming with admiration at a beautiful water-coloured copy of an early Italian fresco, combining the Nativity and Adoration of the Magi, that hung over the mantelpiece.
'Is it not exquisite?' returned Kalliope. 'I do so much enjoy making out each head and dwelling on them! Look at that old shepherd's simple wonder and reverence, and the little child with the lamb, and the contrast with the Wise Man from the East, whose eyes look as if he saw so much by faith.'
'Can you see it from there?' asked Gillian, who had got up to look at these and further details dwelt on by Kalliope.
'Yes. Not at first; but they come out on me by degrees. It is such a pleasure, and so kind of Mr. White to have put it there. He had it hung there, Mrs. Halfpenny told me, instead of his own picture just before I came in here.'
'Well, he is not a bad-looking man, but it is no harm to him or his portrait to say that this is better to look at!'
'It quite does me good! And see,' pointing to a photograph of the Arch of Titus hung on the screen that shielded her from the door, 'he sends in a fresh one by Alexis every other day.
'How very nice! He really seems to be a dear old man. Don't you think so?'
'I am sure he is wonderfully kind, but I have only seen him that once when he came with Sir Jasper, and then I knew nothing but that when Sir Jasper was come things must go right.'
'Of course; but has he never been to see you now that you are up and dressed?'
'No, he lavishes anything on me that I can possibly want, but I have only seen him once-never here.'
'It is like Beauty and the Beast!'
'Oh no, no ; don't say that!'
'Well, George Stebbing really taught Fergus to call him a beast, and you-Kally-I won't tease you with saying what you are.'
'I wish I wasn't, it would be all so much easier.'
'Never mind! I do believe the Stebbings are going away! Does Maura never see him?'
'She has met him on the stairs and in the garden, but she has her meals here. I trust by the time her Easter holidays are over I may be fit to go back with her. But I do hope I may be able to copy a bit of that picture first, though, any way, I can never forget it.'
'To go on as before?' exclaimed Gillian, with an interrogative sigh of wonder.
'If that notice of dismissal can be revoked,' said Kalliope.
But would you like it-must you?'
'I
And why is it must?' said Gillian wistfully. 'You have to get well first.'
Yes, I know that; but, you see, there are Maura and Petros. They must not be thrown on Alexis, poor dear fellow! And if he could only be set free, he might go on with what he once hoped for, though he thinks it is his duty to give all that entirely up now and work obediently on. But I know the longing will revive, and if I only could improve myself, and be worth more, it might still be possible.'
'Only you must not begin too soon and work yourself to death.'
'Hardly after such a rest,' said Kalliope. 'It is not work I mind, but worry'-and then a sadder look crossed her for a moment, and she added, 'I am so thankful.'
'Thankful?' echoed Gillian.
'Yes, indeed! For Sir Jasper's coming and saving us at that dreadful moment, and my being able to keep up as long as dear mamma wanted me, and then Mrs. Halfpenny being spared by dear Lady Merrifield to give me such wonderful care and kindness, and little Theodore being so happily placed, and this rest-such a strange quiet rest as I never knew before. Oh! it is all so thankworthy'-and the great tears came to dim her eyes. 'It seems sent to help me to take strength and courage for the future. 'He hath helped me hitherto.''
'And you are better?'
'Yes, much better. Quite comfortable as long as I am quite still.'
'And content to be still?'
'Yes, I'm very lazy.'
It was a tired voice, and Gillian feared her half-hour was nearly over, but she could not help saying-
'Do you know, I think it will be all nicer now. Mr. White is doing so much, and Mr. Stebbing hates it so, that Mrs. Stebbing says he is going to dissolve the partnership and go away.'
'Then it would all be easier. It seems too good to be true.'
'And that man Mr. White. He must do something for you! He ought.'
'Oh no! He has done a great deal already, and has not been well used. Don't talk of that.'
'I believe he is awfully rich. You know he is building an Institute for the workmen, and a whole row of model cottages.'
'Yes, Alexis told me. What a difference it will make! I hope he will build a room where the girls can dine and rest and read, or have a piano; it would be so good for them.'
'You had better talk to him about it.'
'I never see him, and I should not dare.'
'I'll tell my aunts. He always does what Aunt Ada tells him. Is that really all you wish?'
'Oh! I don't wish for anything much-I don't seem able to care now dear mamma is where they cease from troubling, and I have Alec again.'
'Well, I can't help having great hopes. I can't see why that man should not make a daughter of you! Then you would travel and see mountains and pictures and everything. Oh, should you not like that?'
'Like? Oh, one does not think about liking things impossible! And for the rest, it is nonsense. I should not like to be dependent, and I ought not.'
'You don't think what is to come next?'
'No, it would be taking thought for the morrow, would it not? I don't want to, while I can't do anything, it would only make me fret, and I am glad I am too stupid still to begin vexing myself over it. I suppose energy and power of considering will come when my heart does not flutter so. In the meantime, I only want to keep quiet, and I hope that's not all laziness, but some trust in Him who has helped me all this time.'
