“I would gladly do so; but I promised Miss Rosenthal to be home to an early dinner, so as to be able to go with her to the hospitals this afternoon,” said Elfie. “Every one is praising Miss Rosenthal. She is called the Angel of the Hospitals,” said Mim. “She is rightly so called.” “She has been very kind to _me_ also—finding time in the midst of all her engagements to come to see _me_.” “_I_ owe her another debt of gratitude in that, Mr. Mim. Now good-bye for the present,” said Elfie, holding out her hand. “You will come again?” he inquired, looking up pitiably through his hollow eyes. “Indeed I will come often. I will come every day; and to-morrow I will find you some fruit and flowers, late as it is in the season; and I will bring you the last good new novel that I can find.” “Oh no! don’t trouble yourself in that way, Miss Fielding. Bring yourself! that will be all sufficient for me,” said little Mim, gallantly. “I will bring myself and whatever else I please, Mr. Mim. So there now! Now good-bye for to-day. And remember that, present or absent, I shall never forget your brave defence of me, Mr. Mim.” “Good-bye, and God bless you for this delightful visit, Miss Fielding.” And so Elfie left the room, escorted by Miss Suzy, who though she really liked her young visitor very well, was now heartily glad to see her out. In the room below the other sisters had a nice little luncheon spread out upon a table covered with a clean cloth. Tea and toast; chipped beef and light biscuits; and stewed apples and new milk. They pressed Elfie so hospitably that she was obliged to sit down and partake of the refreshments. After which she thanked them and took leave. When Elfie was fairly out of the front garden gate, Miss Suzy closed the house-door, and then turned to her sisters and raised her finger in mysterious warning. “What ever is the matter now?” inquired Miss Molly, and echoed Miss Sophy and Miss Sarah, gazing at their elder sister in perplexity and uneasiness. “We don’t want Jim to marry, do we?” she inquired. “Oh lor’!” exclaimed the other sisters, in horrified chorus. “Well, then, we must keep a good look-out! She’s a nice girl and I like her! but if we don’t take care, she’ll marry Jim, whether or no!” “Marry Jim!” echoed all the other sisters. And if Miss Suzy had said, “She will murder Jim,” and they had believed her, her words could not have caused more consternation. “Yes, she will!” repeated the elder sister. “Marry Jim! Our Jim! Oh no! she’s a pretty girl, and a clever girl, and a good girl! and we like her! but we can’t afford to let her have our Jim! Our Jim must not marry!” CHAPTER XXX. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING IN THE HOSPITAL. Forgot were hatred, wrongs and fears; The plaintive voice alone she hears, Sees but the dying man.—SCOTT.