“Valeria, I ask a very strange favour, and impose upon your friendship the unpleasant alternative of refusing me point blank, or taking upon yourself a most ungracious duty; but, dear Valeria, in this at least the end will justify the means. I do not wish to separate my son and niece, as your eyes seem to say, but _au contraire_, to prevent their separation.” “I do not comprehend.” “I wish to prevent a quarrel. Young people will not quarrel before others, any more than they will make love before them. There is a point of controversy between Mark and India, and I do not wish them to have an opportunity of discussing it until both their heads are cool.” “Ah, I think I know the point of contention,” said Valeria, with a bright look of sudden intelligence. “You?” “Yes.” And the thoughtless little lady, totally forgetful that the communication had been confidential, imparted to her the contents of Mark’s letter to India, and the indignation she had expressed at its contents, and the fear she had betrayed lest her father and uncle should discover her lover’s change of sentiments. Mrs. Sutherland heard the story with a thoughtful brow, and at its close, said— “And do you not think, Valeria, that the discussion of this subject between them at present would end fatally for our hopes?” “I do not know, indeed. I cannot estimate the strength of Mr. Sutherland’s convictions and purposes.” “But you think that India will never yield to them?” “Never!” “And so think I. Yet Mark, dear, deluded child, would stake his soul on what he calls her heroism. Well, Valeria, now will you promise me to prevent an interview as long as you can, to give me an opportunity of trying to bring that poor boy to reason?” “Ha! ha! ha! It is a thankless task, but I will undertake it. But you must give me an assistant, to relieve me sometimes, and to better insure the success of your enterprise. Confide in Uncle Billy, and let him be on duty while I am off.” “I intend to have a talk with my brother upon the subject, but in the mean time I rely mainly upon you. Promise me again that you will be vigilant.” “As vigilant as I can, Helen; but you know my first duty is to Rosalie, dear child! I reproach myself for having left her last night, but the housekeeper promised that she would sleep in the adjoining room, and watch over her.” “Do you not think that you watch over her too much? Do you not see that she is made too much of a hothouse plant?” “Rosalie? What! when even a slight change in the weather, or a draught of air, or a piece of fruit not ripe, or a little too ripe, or some such trifle, is sufficient to make her ill for a week, and to bring her to the brink of the grave? I would give half my fortune to any physician who would”— The little lady’s voice broke down, and her sparkling eyes melted into tears; then she said, in a faltering tone— “Do you think she will die? or do you think there is a blessed possibility of her health being restored?”