"Not now, I am sure you could not, nor would he wish it so soon; but I think you should have given him some hope, if—if you return his affection, Nellie. If people love each other, they should be willing to wait." There was a pause, and Nellie bent her head lower. Ought she to have decided differently? Did her father think her wrong too? This was a sad blow. "But it is all over now, dear papa," she said at last. "I tell you because I thought I ought. I am the only one you have, you know," she added, looking up from the shelter of his arm, and smiling a wan little smile; then bursting into tears, she kissed him, saying brokenly, "I could not, could not, leave you for the world!" Dr. Arundel sat a long time that night watching the embers of his fire die out. What tender thoughts twined round that eldest daughter of his who had just left him. "Dear little maiden," he said to himself, "I trust all will come right. I must take an opportunity of having a talk with Elliot; I cannot have her sacrifice herself. I am sorry it has fallen out so. He should have come to me first, under the circumstances. Poor dear Nellie, I hope it will all come right." [Illustration] CHAPTER XXIV. WAITING. CHRISTINA and her aunt promised to spend Christmas day at Dr. Arundel's this year. Walter's arrival was hourly expected, and it was felt by all that they could not divide their numbers; it was too sad a time for some of them, and the only way was to be all together. To Dr. Arundel, the dread of the empty day was like a nightmare. Without allowing himself to repine, he yet could not help shrinking when he thought of the day dawning with no wife by his side to make all bright and happy, shedding her love on all around. "I shall be helped through it," he had once said to himself, and though he knew not how he should be, yet his faith is rewarded; and his son's coming just at the dreaded time, unconsciously turned his thoughts into another channel, and lightened the gloom of his sorrow. The day of Walter's arrival was a little uncertain, as he had not mentioned in which steamer he should sail. He had, they knew, travelled safely as far as Malta, as he had telegraphed from there, and now they were hourly expecting a second telegram to say he had landed at Southampton. For several days Nellie found herself starting, even when the postman's rap came to the door, thinking it might be the longed-for news, and every one felt excited. About four o'clock on the afternoon of Christmas Eve, Christina and her aunt arrived, and Nellie conducted Miss Arbuthnot to the spare room, and then took Christina up to her own—a usual custom, for then the girls could talk and feel at ease, which Nellie professed she never did in the spare room. "Oh, it is nice to have you," said she, as she kissed Christina again, and helped her to take off her things. "Dear Nellie," Christina answered, "I am so glad to come to you all."