It mattered not to little Izzie who tended her for many days; not so, however, when she began to mend, for now she would suffer none but mamma to touch her. She would scarcely bear to be put out of her arms. If Natalie attempted to lay her in the cradle, thinking she slept, instantly the tiny arms would be clasped round mamma's neck, and she would take her up again. No more could papa usurp mamma's rights; no coaxing or persuasion would induce her to allow him to take her. Only from mamma's hand would she take her medicine. On more than one occasion Natalie had to be aroused from the little sleep she allowed herself, to administer it. All this annoyed Louis beyond measure, but he did not again give way to his temper before the child, except on one occasion. He had, in the strongest terms, urged upon Natalie the importance of giving the medicine with regularity. The bottle was empty, and Natalie sent it down to be filled, but by some means it got mixed with the other medicines to be sent out, and was not returned to her. She suffered tortures for the want of it during his absence. When he returned, coming straight to baby as usual, he learned how it was, and found her worse for want of it, his indignation was extreme, and he heaped upon Natalie unjust and unmerited reproach, in harsh and bitter terms. His cruel words cut her to the heart, but her only answer was a gentle request that he would get it at once. Truly Isabel had not much to regret. CHAPTER XXVI. "What do you think?" cried Rose, bursting into the school-room. "Everard is coming home." "Oh, is he? I'm so glad," returned Alice. "Yes; mamma had a letter to-day. He is better, and is coming home for change of air and mamma's good nursing. It was not Everard who wrote the letter, but the doctor, who is coming with him as far as Markham, and papa is to meet them there." "When?" inquired Alice. "To-morrow." "And papa is away." "Oh, he will be back to-night. Why, there is a carriage; I wonder who it is," she exclaimed, running to the window. "How can you be so silly, Rose," interposed Isabel. "Oh, it is Everard," she shouted, without heeding Isabel's remonstrance, "and that must be the Doctor. Oh, I'm so glad Everard has come," and she danced about the room with glee. "Rose, what a noisy child you are!" exclaimed Isabel, going to the window with the rest; but when she saw the Doctor, she became deadly pale, and had to lean against the window frame for support, but she had ample time to recover herself, as they were all too much occupied to observe her. "How terribly ill he looks," said Rose. "And how dreadfully weak," returned Alice. "I'm sure that gentleman was at Grace's party, only I forget his name." "Oh, mamma and Grace are both out; who is to do the honors, won't you, Miss Leicester?" "Oh, no." "Do, there's a good creature," pleaded Rose. But Isabel was firm. "It will seem so queer," urged Rose. "Alice, dear, _you_ must go."