She was sitting with Mrs. Lynn in the boudoir of the latter and engaged on a beautiful piece of satin embroidery, mere useless “fancy” work, such as Em. in her practical life had never “fancied.” “You look very thoughtful, my child. Are you homesick, Em.?” inquired the lady. “Oh, no, dear madam, no!” earnestly replied the girl. “What is the matter then, my love! Do you not enjoy yourself here?” “Yes, dear lady, but——” “But what?” “I am not doing any service for you in return for all the great benefits you lavish on me. I am not doing anything for anybody in the world, and——” “Well, Em.?” “Well, dear lady, I feel as if I were doing wrong. I have been taught that life was not given us for mere selfish enjoyment, and I have been trained to a busy and active life.” “And you think that you are doing no good here?” “I am living a life of self-indulgence, dear lady.” “Instead of the life of self-devotion that you have been used to, I suppose. Now listen to me, dear girl, and I will show you how mistaken you are. When I first saw you, child, I was drawn to you as you admit that you were to me. In my seventeen years of utter isolation from all society I have never met any one to whom my heart went out as it did to you. In the short time I have known you, my child, I have learned to love you more and more. I keep you near me. I direct your education. It is a happiness to me to do this.” “But I do nothing for you, dear lady.” “Yes, you heal me, child. _You heal me of a long, long heart-sickness._” “Oh, madam, if I could think myself so privileged, so honored and _blessed_ as to be able to do that, I should indeed feel that my life were well spent!” exclaimed the girl with enthusiasm. “Then content yourself, my child, for I have told you the truth. It can be summed up in two words—I teach you. You heal me.” And indeed it was so. The lady was educating the girl and the girl was drawing the recluse out of herself, out of her morbid thoughts, out of her solitary life. A proof of this soon occurred. Dr. Willet came to the island. The recluse Lady of Edengarden not only received him, as indeed she did on his first visit, but also pressed him to stay and dine. The good doctor did not need much persuasion. He readily consented to remain. He brought Em. news of her father’s family, who were all well with the exception of Ann Whitlock, whom he reported to be very much in the same condition in which Em. had left her. It was in the afternoon of that day when Em., having left the room for a few moments, and Dr. Willet, finding himself alone with his hostess, said: “That little girl is doing you good.” “Yes, she is a healing angel to me,” answered the lady.