A SORE LITTLE HEART. Neil Elthorne was in his father's room when Nurse Elisia returned from her walk, looking agitated and strange. He had found the old man fretful and impatient, full of complaints about the way in which he was neglected by those who ought, he said, to respect and love him all the more for his illness. "You all have an idea that I am weak and helpless," he cried; "but it is a mistake. I am a little weak, but quite able to manage the affairs of my house." "Of course you are, sir," said Neil. Elthorne turned upon him fiercely. "Don't speak to me again like that, sir," he cried. "Do you think I want to be humoured like a child?" Neil made no reply, but let his father finish his complaint, knowing that he would drop asleep afterward, and awaken refreshed and forgetful of all he had said. He was sleeping peacefully as a child when the nurse entered the room, to stop near the door as she saw that Neil was present. "Has Mr Elthorne wanted me, sir?" she said, ignoring the scene which had taken place a short time before. "No; and if he had," replied Neil bitterly, "He would have been quite willing to wait until you had kept your appointment." The words seemed to come in spite of Neil's efforts to stay them; and as he finished the blood tingled in his cheeks, and he mentally writhed as he saw the look of calm, cold contempt directed at him. "It was Mr Elthorne's wish, and your own, that I should go for a walk, sir," she said gravely. "To meet my brother?" She gazed at him half sorrowfully. "I certainly did meet your brother, sir," she said; and then stopped short as if scorning to offer any explanation to him, while he stood with his teeth set, wishing that he could have bitten off his tongue before he had stooped to make himself so contemptible and petty in her eyes. There was a pause for a few moments, and then the nurse spoke. "Mr Elthorne," she said, "will you be good enough to set me free? Another nurse could do my duties, and I wish now to return to the hospital." "Return? You know it is impossible," he said. "The consequences to my father would be most serious. You know that as well as I." She turned to the patient, and looked at him sadly for a few moments. "You need not be afraid," he said coldly. "I shall not address you again. It was a mad dream, and is at an end. I have been awakened at last." He left the room, feeling as if he could hardly contain his anger as he asked himself whether other men could be as weak, and if this was all the strength of mind and dignity he had achieved by his years of patient study. "I spoke to her like some spiteful schoolgirl," he muttered, as he reached the library, and then threw himself into a chair. "What must she have thought? How could I lower myself so in her eyes?" He had hardly left his father's room when there was a quick, soft tap at the door, and as the nurse rose to open it, Isabel appeared.