"There," he said; "it's quite a triumph for you girls to see how weak a man can be. Now, then; let's clear all this up--this absurd nonsense about the boys." "You can't bear it now, daddy," said Saxa, with tears in her eyes. "I can bear it, little woman. Now, come, my darlings, what silly jealous nonsense is this you have got in your pretty heads? But I'm glad--very glad. You can both be very soft and gentle, I see, when the proper time comes. But fie! Saxa. Shame! Dana. It is madness. Neil? The nurse? Why, my darling, I did not think you could be so fond of my great, solemn, dreamy boy. But--jealous--and of my good, patient, gentle attendant! Oh, tush! Nonsense!" He laughed feebly, looking from one to the other, as if seeking for a confession that their charge was only the result of a little pique due to inattention on the part of his sons. But Saxa and Dana remained by his couch, stern and hard of countenance; and as he watched the frowns gathering on their brows the feeble laugh died away, and his right hand began to tremble again. "Speak," he said at last, after a painful pause, and he fixed his eyes on the elder sister, whose voice sounded deep and sonorous as she said slowly: "I'm sorry I spoke, dear," she said. "It was in my passion." "And it is all folly," said Elthorne hastily. "No, daddy," cried Saxa, with a flash of mortified pride in her eyes; "it is all too true." "What!" cried Elthorne, turning his eyes on Dana. "Yes," said the latter, repeating her sister's words; "it is all too true." "It has been going on for months past," continued Saxa. "At the hospital in London, dear," added Dana, "as well as here." Ralph Elthorne drew in his breath with a sharp, hissing sound, and lay back staring straight before him, but the sisters, in their returning anger, paid no heed to the change in his countenance, as a spasm passed over it, but left him calm and firm again. "I wouldn't have believed it," cried Saxa, "but I must--I must. It is true." "What? Neil? My boy Neil?" said Elthorne hoarsely. "My quiet, obedient, straightforward son, whose word every man trusts? And Nurse Elisia? I will not believe it." "Very well, daddy," said Saxa gravely. "You will see." "Bah! Nonsense, girl. Someone has been poisoning your ears against as true and good a woman as ever breathed." Saxa rose slowly from her knees, and stood gazing frowningly down in his eyes, as the old man went on in stern tones of reproof. "Shame on you, Saxa! My boy Neil is too noble and high-minded to even dream of such a thing. He--the great surgeon who is growing famous! Why, it would be a crime against you, and an insult to his father. My darling, you should not let such a degrading notion harbour in your brain." The girl's stern look intensified.