"How sweet it is," she could not help saying; then the idea of being sweet here, suggested those at home, and she added, "Have you heard to-day, grandmamma, from mamma?" "I have heard from your father, dear." Nellie looked up at the unusually quiet tone, and said quickly, "Are they not all right, dear grandmamma?" "He says your mamma is not very well, dear." "Not anything serious?" said Nellie, her heart going down like lead. "Your father speaks seriously, dear," answered Aunt Ruth. "He says that he has been anxious about her for some time." "Oh, auntie! And I never knew it." "My dear, we cannot always know what will happen; your father could not bear to make you unhappy unless it were needful." "I would not have come away for worlds," said Nellie, weeping. "That has made no real difference, darling. We might always be thinking of difficulties in the future; and you will be strengthened to help by your change." "But do tell me," said Nellie, looking up with an anguish in her eyes which was sad to see, "do you think—does papa think—that mamma is in danger?" "He says there always is danger in attacks of the heart." "I had no idea she was delicate." "Had you not, dear? Yet no; your father says he fears it will be a great blow to you." Nellie began to take in the gravity of the news; and her loving relatives were powerless to aid her in the sorrow which she must feel. "I may go home at once, may I not?" she asked earnestly. "I am afraid it will be necessary, dear. Your father says he would like you to come at once." Nellie rose, as if bewildered for a moment with the unexpectedness of the tidings, and stood with nervous fingers gathering her work together. "My child," said Aunt Ruth, putting her kind arms round her shoulders, "this is a heavy trial; but we must all ask for strength to bear it, and for her precious life to be spared if possible." "Is it so bad as that?" Nellie said once more; and then she left the room as if stunned. She went upstairs and began to collect her things together, while Aunt Ruth followed, and gently helped her, saying nothing, however. "When is the train?" asked Nellie, looking up once, as if only just awakened from a dream. "At 12 o'clock; there is no hurry, and the pony carriage is ordered." "Thank you," she answered mechanically. "I have sent down to Maude Elliot to be kind enough to see you safely off, dear." "Oh, thank you," said Nellie. And when she had placed the last few things in the box, the maid came to put on the cord. "Would you like to walk down and say good-bye to Mrs. Elliot, dear?" asked Aunt Ruth. "She has been very kind to you?" "Very kind," answered Nellie; "and if there is time—" "Abundance of time; it is only eleven o'clock now. You need not return here, the pony carriage shall call for you at half-past eleven." Before she went downstairs, Nellie softly entered Hope's room.