Then Mrs. Mandeville broke down and burst into tears. "Perhaps you won’t have power long. Oh, Raymond! You do not realize how ill he is! If meningitis sets in, Dr. Burton says it will be a matter of only a few hours. If I were asking for a Buddhist or a Mohammedan book, it would be right for you to let me have it." "No, my dear sister. I am not a believer in the doctrine that the end justifies the means. I will pray for Carol, and for you too. I am sorry to see you so overwrought." "Then you absolutely refuse, Raymond?" "I do, Emmeline--absolutely." Without a word Mrs. Mandeville turned and left the room. CHAPTER XIV.--"HE GIVETH HIS BELOVED SLEEP." Softly and lightly as Mrs. Mandeville re-entered Carol’s room, he heard her. He had been listening for her footsteps, whilst obedient to her desire, lying with closed eyelids. She was spared the pain of telling him she had been unsuccessful. He read it in her face. "Auntie, dear, please don’t look so troubled. Uncle Raymond does not understand. It is quite all right. Love can always find a way." Mrs. Mandeville almost smiled through her unshed tears. How great was her love for the boy, yet she could think of no way by which what he wanted could be immediately procured. Even she did not fully realize how he was waiting and yearning for that healing touch, which comes ’More softly than the dew is shed Or cloud is floated overhead.’ Nurse left the room, and Mrs. Mandeville again took her place by the bedside. In less than an hour a maid came to the bedroom door, asking in a whisper, "Can I speak to you a moment, ma’am?" "What is it, Withers?" Mrs. Mandeville asked. "A Mr. Higgs from the village is downstairs. He came to inquire after Master Carol. He said he would like the young gentleman to know he has walked from the village to the Manor." The words were spoken at the door very softly, but Carol heard. "Oh, Auntie, I am glad!" he said. "Could Mr. Higgs come here? I should like to speak to him." "Darling, I am afraid it will excite you to see him. The doctor’s orders are that you are to be kept perfectly quiet." "It won’t excite me, Auntie; and what makes me very happy cannot hurt me." "You may bring Mr. Higgs to see Master Carol since he wishes it so much, Withers." No one but those who were nursing him had been admitted to the room. The maid was surprised as she took the message, and then brought the old man to the room.