But Webster, with the ever-present memory of that despairing face on the bridge, and the constant anxiety for the unhappy girl lying in St. Phillip's Hospital, nigh unto death, had felt it was impossible for him to encounter the gay and lively sallies of the actress. Not that he had lost interest in the woman who stood between poor May and happiness, but his mind was too much out of tune to go into such vivacious company, and he therefore had refused Miss Weir's invitations. But nearly three weeks after he had taken May Churchill to St. Phillip's, a change came over her condition. Her physical health decidedly improved, and one morning when Doctor Brentwood was paying his usual visit to her she spoke to him of her future life. "I am going to live now, doctor, am I not?" she said, in a low, pained tone. "Certainly you are going to live," replied the doctor. "I hope for many years; until you are quite old," and he smiled. "That will be a long time," said May, with a weary sigh; "I am not much past twenty now--a long, long time." "It seems long to look forward to, but time passes quickly enough, especially when it is fully employed." "It is about this that I meant to speak to you of, doctor," continued May, and a faint color stole to her pale cheeks. "If I am going to live I must do something to gain my own living; I must find some employment." "Everyone is better employed," answered the doctor, cheerfully; "it's good for mind and body alike. Now what do you think you would like to do?" "Since I have felt a little better I have thought of this constantly. I--I should like to see Mr. Webster about it, as he might be able to help me." "I am sure he will do anything to help you; he is your sincere friend, and has been most anxious about you during your illness, and has called each morning to inquire for you. Therefore you may depend on his assistance, I am certain, and, I may add, on mine." "You are very good--" "And now I am going to ask you a question which is not a medical one," interrupted the doctor, "and, therefore you need not answer it unless you like. But have you no friends, no relations, to whom you can now apply?" "None!" answered May, with sudden emotion; "I wish to be as one dead to everyone I know--they must think me dead, and I would have been, but for--" "Forgive me for having pained you, and I will promise never again to allude to the subject. So you would like to see Ralph Webster? Well, you shall see him to-morrow, and I am truly glad to find you so much better." And then he smiled kindly and went away. He felt interested in this forlorn and broken-hearted young woman, who he was sure his friend Webster had saved from some tragic fate; and not the less interested on account of May's fair face. He therefore wrote to Webster during the day, and told him of the improvement in May's health, and also of her wish to find some employment.