"I expressed myself badly," he replied, "I meant that I could not trace any resemblance between what you were, and what I now find you. You were a very nice little girl: you are a beautiful woman." "And you have learned to flatter," said Elizabeth blushing. "No, it is just my opinion, now I am going to find your father. It seems quite singular to ask Gage to accept me as a son-in-law. He is not a dozen years older than I am." A few weeks after this conversation, Captain Gage had the satisfaction of bestowing his daughter's hand upon Sir Philip d'Eyncourt: and a few days afterwards, Margaret who had officiated as one of the bridesmaids, accompanied her uncle to the sea-side; for he had at last consented to listen to his physician, and to consider his illness of importance. CHAPTER XI. And now that hope and joy are seen to fade, Like stars dim gliding till they mix with shade; Now that thy cheek has sorrow's canker proved When thus by sickness changed, ah! more beloved. ELTON. "Aveline, my love, it is impossible that you can ride the pony to-day. Pray give up the idea. Do you not agree with me, Mr. Haveloc?" Mr. Haveloc was always appealed to, for Aveline had become irritable; a phase of her complaint upon which her sweet temper and habitual self-command had no influence. "No, you cannot ride to-day," said Mr. Haveloc, approaching the easy chair in which she was sitting, propped up with pillows; "you frightened us all too much yesterday. You are hardly out of your fainting-fit, and you wish to bring on another. Consider our nerves!" Aveline looked up at him and smiled, even her mother had not the control over her that he had. "But look," she said, "what beautiful weather; it is hard that I should remain in the house all day. You know I cannot walk. What am I to do?" "Shall I row you," he said, "you can have as many pillows as you like; and you may lie as quietly as you would on the sofa." "No," said Aveline, "I am afraid that my head would not bear the motion of the boat." "And yet you thought of riding," said Mr. Haveloc, with a smile. This was an imprudent remark, sick people require managing. "Riding is quite different!" said Aveline angrily; "you do not know how to distinguish!" Fortunately with all his impatience of temper, she never roused it. He pitied her too deeply; and without feeling the slightest attachment to her in the ordinary sense of the term, he had become very fond of her; he was won by the reliance she had placed in him for every thing. He met Mrs. Fitzpatrick's eyes turned gratefully upon him, and smiled. "No; I know nothing about it," he said, leaning over Aveline's chair, "I have no experience in illness. I cannot measure your strength." "Then," said Aveline with a slight want of consistency, "what should you advise me to do?" "Let us wheel you in this chair upon the grass; there you can enjoy the sea breeze, and you will be in the shade."