The storm was over and the rain drops on tree, shrub and flower, glittered like untold wealth of diamonds in the bright rays of the newly risen sun, as Clendenin and Nell walked down the street together. There was nothing in the looks or manner of either to excite curiosity or suspicion in those who saw them pass. He left her at her brother's door with a half playful order, not from the lover but the physician, to take some breakfast and go directly to bed and to sleep. "I shall not promise," she answered saucily, lifting a a pair of bright, roguishly smiling eyes to his face, "I have not resigned my liberty yet, you know." "Ah well, I think I may count on obedience," he said with the grave, tender smile that had first won her heart. "I want you to rest all day and let me come to you this evening," he whispered, bending down to speak close to her ear, "I have much to tell you, my darling. You have a right to know what so long prevented my lips from repeating the story you must have read a thousand times in my eyes, if they spoke the true language of my heart." "Never mind, I am quite content without the knowledge if, as your face seems to say, it is something painful," she said with generous confidence, and sudden gravity of looks and tone. "Nay, dearest, you shall hear it. I will have no secrets from her who is to be 'bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh,' the nearest and dearest of all created beings," he said, lifting her hands to his lips. Her eyes filled with happy, grateful tears, as from the vine covered porch where they had had their chat, she watched him hurrying away down the street, then turned and went into the house. "Was that Dr. Clendenin?" asked Clare, meeting her in the hall. "Yes." "Why didn't he come in and take breakfast with us?" "I didn't ask him." "You didn't? Nell Lamar, I'm ashamed of your rude behavior to that man! If he treats you henceforward with the coldest politeness, I am sure it will be no more than you deserve." A curious smile trembled about the corners of Nell's lips for an instant, then was gone. "Flora has passed the crisis," she remarked, "and the doctor says will get well if she has proper care." "Oh, I am glad!" "Can you take my place for to-day? He wouldn't let me stay, and her mother would kill her with the fretting and worrying." "No wonder he wouldn't let you stay. You look wretchedly tired. Yes; I'll go over presently. You'd better eat your breakfast at once and go directly to bed." "I will," Nell answered with unaccustomed meekness, and proceeded to redeem her promise without delay. Kenneth, too, needed rest after his wearisome journey and long night vigil, but did not seek it till a letter telling of his great happiness had been written to the dear ones at Glen Forest, and sent to the mail by Zeb.