"Have them as soon as you can bear them, sir," said Neil, laying his father's hand back upon the couch. "Yes, you are decidedly stronger this morning, and I think you can now begin to do without me." "Without you, my boy? Yes, I think so, but not without nurse. I am very weak yet, my boy." "But that will soon pass off," said Neil coldly. "You must keep your attendant, of course." "Yes. Yes, of course, Neil, of course." "Then to-morrow or next day I shall go back, and come again, say from Saturday to Monday, and then give you a fortnight's rest, so as to break off by degrees." "You want to go back, then, Neil?" "Yes, sir. The hospital has hardly known me lately. I ought to go now." "True; yes, I ought not to keep you longer, my boy," said his father thoughtfully. "But you 've done a wonderful deal for me, Neil." "The best I could, father; and, thank God, we have saved your life." "Thank God, my life has been spared!" said the old man fervently; and he closed his eyes. Neil left them soon after to return to the library, but not to resume his studies. His heart burned with anger against everyone in the place, and he paced the room thinking bitterly. "Yes," he said to himself, "my work is done, and I may go. He said nothing, but his manner betrayed the whole wretched story. They have prevailed upon him. Dana is away and forgotten. Yes; of course. Alison was with him two hours yesterday. There: the dream is past, and I am fully awake again." He stood with his teeth set, and his hands clenched for a few moments, and the muscles of his face worked painfully. Then, drawing a long, deep breath, he suddenly seemed to grow calm. "Well, why should I repine? Only one can win the race. I ought to say, `Heaven bless them!' She has won her way to my father's heart, and yes, Heaven bless her! I will try and take her hand by and by, and kiss her, and say, `Dearest sister, may you be very happy with the man of your choice!' Yes; we must be brothers once again. But I must go soon. I am too weak to bear it now." There was a tap at the door. "Yes. Come in." The door opened, and Aunt Anne entered cautiously. "Ah!" she cried, "not reading. I was so afraid of disturbing you, my dear. You have grown such a learned man I'm quite afraid of you." "Nonsense, Aunt dear. A surgeon must keep himself _au courant_ with what is going on in his profession abroad." "Of course he must, my dear, but he must not starve himself to death." "No fear, Aunt," said Neil pleasantly. "I have no intention of trying any such experiment." "Oh, but you are always trying to live without food, my dear, and you look pale, and your hair is beginning to show grey. Why, you look fifteen years older than Alison, and you are only four." Neil winced. "He looks brown, and hearty, and handsome, while you--"