He had never seen her dressed until now, and he was almost bewildered by her brilliant beauty. She was tall, with a symmetrical figure. She was queenly and self-possessed in her carriage, and betrayed in every movement the well-bred lady, accustomed to the very best of society. She was dressed in a heavy black silk, which fitted her perfectly, and fell in graceful folds around her splendid form. She wore no colors, and might have been in mourning, judging from the simplicity of her dress, and she might not—he could not determine. Her only ornaments were several rings of great value, and an elegant brooch, which fastened the rich lace, fine as a cobweb, about her throat. “I am very glad to see you, Dr. Turner,” she said, graciously, as she extended her white, jeweled hand to him; “and I thank you for responding so promptly to my request. Nellie, please bring that rocker for the gentleman,” she concluded, indicating a willow chair in another portion of the room. The maid obeyed, and then quietly withdrew. “You are looking remarkably well, Mrs. Marston,” Dr. Turner observed, hardly able to believe that she could be the same woman who had been so pale and wan when he had first seen her. Her complexion was almost dazzling in its purity, while the flush on her cheek told of perfect health and a vigorous constitution. “I am very well, thank you,” she responded, somewhat coldly, as if her physical condition were not a question that she cared to discuss with him—“so well that I am contemplating leaving Boston by the end of another week, and I have asked you to come to me in order that I may consult you upon a matter of great importance. But first, do you think I shall run any risk in traveling by that time?” “If any one else had asked me that, I should have said at once, ‘Impossible!’” returned the physician, smiling. “But you have so rapidly recuperated that I should not fear a change so much for you as for many others. It depends somewhat, however, upon where you are going.” Mrs. Marston flushed slightly at this, but, after an instant of hesitation, she said, composedly: “Oh, I intend to go to a warmer climate. I shall probably spend the rest of the winter in the South.” “Then I think you may go with perfect safety, if you are quite sure you feel well and strong.” “As to that, I never felt more vigorous in my life; but——” The lady bent her shapely head in thought, a shadow of perplexity and doubt crossing her beautiful face. “Perhaps you fear to take the little one; the weather is rather severe for a tender infant,” suggested the doctor. “Oh, no. I do not intend to take the child at all,” returned the mother, quickly, a nervous tremor running through her frame as she spoke. “You do not intend to take your child with you?” repeated the physician, astonished, while he searched the downcast face before him with a suspicious look.