"Then trust me in this. Take my advice. More--oblige me by going. I am surgeon here, and you are nurse, but it has seemed to me, for some time past, that we have had a closer intimacy--that of friends. Come, you will oblige me?" "It is your wish then, that I should go?" "Indeed, yes. When will you be ready to start?" "At once." "That is good. Then I will telegraph down, so that a carriage may be in waiting for you at the station. I am sure that Mr Elthorne will see that you have every comfort and attention. Good-morning. Thanks." Nurse Elisia stood by the door of the ward, watching the retiring figure of the old surgeon as he passed down the corridor. "Is it not weak to have given way?" she said to herself. "Perhaps not in such a case as this. Mr Elthorne will see that I have every comfort and attention," she said softly. "Mr Elthorne must be taught that I am the hospital nurse, sent down there for a special purpose. Mr Elthorne is weak, and given to follies such as I should not have suspected in so wise and able a man." She stood hesitating for a few moments looking toward where Maria Bell lay, evidently watching her attentively, and her first impulse was to cross to the woman and to tell her that she would be handed over now to the charge of another nurse; but, reconsidering the matter, she decided merely to tell the next nurse in authority that she must take full charge of the ward, and going down to the matron, she stated that she would be absent for a time. That evening she was being hurried down by a fast train, to reach the station within a few minutes of the appointed time, and she had scarcely stepped on to the platform when a man's voice made her start with dread lest it should be Neil. "The nurse for Hightoft?" said the voice; and as she turned she found that it was only a servant. "Yes, I am the nurse," she replied. "Well, here's a carriage for you. Any luggage?" The man's voice was sharp, and wanting in respect, the ordering of the carriage for a long night drive having found little favour with coachman and footman. "That little black bag, that is all," said the nurse quietly. "Don't mean to stay long, then," said the man with a laugh, as he took the little travelling bag, and swung it up on to the foot-board, while the nurse stood patiently waiting, and without resenting the man's insolence and indifference as he entered into a conversation with the coachman before turning and, stepping back, stared hard at the calm, refined face dimly seen by the feeble station lamps. "Will you have the goodness to open the carriage door?" "Eh? Open the door? Of course. Just going to," said the footman cavalierly, as he snatched open the door and rattled down the steps. He held out his hand, but she stepped in without his assistance, the door was banged sharply to, and the handle took some time to turn, as the man stared in at the visitor, who quietly drew up the window and sank back in her seat.