When she awoke from her afternoon nap it was growing dark. She cried out quite joyfully when she saw Grantley sitting by the bed: "It is almost evening at last!" At that moment Victoria appeared at the door. "Come in," Mellen said; "what do you want?" Victoria entered on tip-toe, though she knew plainly enough that her young mistress was awake, and whispered in the doleful semitone she reserved for sick rooms: "If you please, Mister Fuller's just arrived, and he's a asking after all of you in a breath." Elsie started up on her pillows, and the brother and sister looked at each other in blank dismay when they thought of the blow that must be inflicted upon the warm, honest heart of Elizabeth's cousin. "Go and say that we will be down," said Elsie, recovering her presence of mind. Victoria departed, and Grantley cried out passionately: "How can I tell him? Poor Tom, he will nearly die." "You must not tell him yet," said Elsie, "not one word--just say Bessie is absent." "Such prevarication is useless, Elsie, he must know the truth." Elsie began to cry. "There, you are contradicting me already. I won't go down--I shall be sick again--my head swims now." "Don't distress yourself, dear, don't." "Then let me have my own way," she pleaded. "What do you wish? Anything to content you." "That's a good brother," said Elsie. "Go down and merely tell Tom I have been very sick, and that Bessie has gone to New York--anywhere--not a word more." "But he will wonder at her absence during your illness." "No, he never wonders; it doesn't make any difference." "I detest these white lies, Elsie." "Oh, well, if you want to kill me with a scene, go and tell Tom," she exclaimed, throwing herself back on her pillows; "I shall be worried to death at last." Mellen was anxious to soothe her, and against his judgment submitted. "I'll go, darling; I'll go." "Good Grant; kind brother! Send Victoria to me; I will be all dressed when you come back." Mellen went out and called the servant, then he passed downstairs, and in the hall met Tom, who rushed towards him, exclaiming: "The woman says Elsie is very sick; is she better; what is it?" "She is much better; don't be frightened; she will be downstairs in a few minutes." "Thank God," muttered Tom, his face still white with fears that Victoria had aroused. Mellen was too much preoccupied to notice his extreme agitation, or speculate upon its cause if he had observed it. "I only got back this afternoon," said Tom, "and I hurried over here at once. How is Bessie?" "She--she is not at home," faltered Mellen. "Not at home and Elsie sick?" "She was gone," said Mellen, "and I did not send for her." Tom was too much troubled about Elsie to reflect long upon anything else, and directly Mellen broke from his eager questions, saying: "Go into the library, Tom; I'll bring Elsie down." He went upstairs, and knocked at his sister's door. "You may come in," Elsie called out; "I am ready."