Miss Rosenthal had not passed down her side of the ward as quickly as Elfie had passed down hers. Erminie’s walk was more like that of a physician in charge. She was familiar there. She had to stop by the side of every bed, and hold a conversation with the patient or a consultation with the nurse. And so her progress was slow. Now, however, having got to the end of her row of beds, she approached her friend, and saw the new patient. “Albert Goldsborough! is it possible!” she exclaimed, in surprise—surprise immediately suppressed by her habitual caution as a hospital visitor. “Yes, Miss Rosenthal, I am here,” he answered. “I am very, very sorry to see you lying thus,” said Erminie, taking his hand, and laying her finger upon his pulse. “You are feverish, and must not give me a word of explanation yet. Elfie, my dear, your presence is no sedative just now,” she added, turning to the weeping girl; “so you may go down. Inquire your way to the office of the surgeon in charge, and ask him, in my name, to send one of his assistants here; for here is a patient who needs immediate attention.” Elfie arose; but, before leaving the spot, stooped over the wounded man and kissed his forehead, murmuring: “Good-bye, Albert. If you ever doubted my reconciliation to you, believe it now.” “Thanks, dear Elfie! You will come again?” he said, holding her hand and detaining her. “Yes, I will come as often and stay as long as they will let me,” she sobbed. “Now go, Elfie dear. Go at once. He is suffering extremely for want of attention; and his wound must be looked to immediately,” urged Erminie. Elfie sat her basket of oranges within Goldsborough’s reach and pointed imploringly to it, and she had the comfort of seeing him smile, and take one and put it to his lips, before she left the ward. In a very few minutes one of the young assistant surgeons came up in answer to Miss Rosenthal’s summons, and stood beside the bed of the intensely suffering man. “Yes, Miss Rosenthal, his wound must be looked to immediately,” said the young man. And Erminie got up to go. “Good-bye, Colonel Goldsborough. I will see you again to-morrow, when I hope you will be better,” she said, gently. “Good-bye, Miss Rosenthal; and a thousand earnest thanks.” When Erminie had entered the carriage, and had given her order to the coachman to drive to the Emory Hospital, and when they were once more on their way, she turned to her silent companion and said: “Elfie, my dear, you must be very careful what you do, unless you would fetter your whole life with that forced marriage. As it stands now, without your consent it is not binding on you. With your consent it becomes indissoluble.” “I have not consented,” said Elfie.