In the few hours since Laura had last seen her, a great change had passed over Mrs. Fountain. Her little face, usually so red, had blanched to parchment white, and the nervous twitching of the head, in the general failure of strength, had almost ceased. She lay stilled and refined under the touch of death; and the sweetness of her blue eyes had grown more conscious and more noble. "Laura--I'm a little better. But you mustn't go again. Alan--she must stay!" She tried to turn her head to him, appealing. The Squire came forward. "Everything is ready for Miss Fountain, dear--if she will be good enough to stay. Nurse will provide--and we will send over for any luggage in the morning." At those words "Miss Fountain," a slight movement passed over the sister's face. "Laura!" she said feebly. "Yes, Augustina--I will stay. I won't leave you again." "Your father did wish it, didn't he?" The mention of her father so startled Laura that the tears rushed to her eyes, and she dropped her face for a moment on Mrs. Fountain's hand. When she lifted it she was no longer conscious that Helbeck stood behind his sister's chair, looking down upon them both. "Yes--always, dear. Do you remember what a good nurse he was?--so much better than I?" Her face shone through the tears that bedewed it. Already the emotion of her drive--the last battles with the wind--had for the moment restored the brilliancy of eye and cheek. Even Augustina's dim sight was held by her, and by the tumbled gold of her hair as it caught the candle-light. But the name which had given Laura a thrill of joy had roused a disturbed and troubled echo in Mrs. Fountain. She looked miserably at her brother and asked for her beads. He put them across her hand, and then, bending over her chair, he said a "Hail Mary" and an "Our Father," in which she faintly joined. "And Alan--will Father Leadham come to-morrow?" "Without fail." * * * * * A little later Laura was in her old room with Sister Rosa. The doctor had paid his visit. But for the moment the collapse of the afternoon had been arrested; Mrs. Fountain was in no urgent danger. "Now then," said the nurse cheerily, when Miss Fountain had been supplied with all necessaries for sleep, "let us look at that arm, please." Laura turned in surprise. "Mr. Helbeck tells me you wrenched your wrist on the drive. He thought you would perhaps allow me to treat it." Laura submitted. It was indeed nearly helpless and much swollen, though she had been hardly conscious of it since the little accident happened. The brisk, black-eyed Sister had soon put a comforting bandage round it, chattering all the time of Mrs. Fountain and the ups and downs of the illness. "She missed you very much after you went yesterday. But now, I suppose, you will stay? It won't be long, poor lady!"