"The fact is, you don't know what ails you or what you need; and you're not going to be let alone," remarked Clare, with the assumption of authority always so distasteful to her young sister-in-law. The words, but especially the tone, brought the color to Nell's cheeks and an indignant light into her eyes. She opened her lips to reply, but Clare had already left the room, and the next moment re-entered it, bringing Dr. Buell with her. His remedies had no good effect. Nell drooped more and more. Major Lamar became extremely anxious and uneasy. "I wish," he said to his wife again and again, "that Clendenin would come home. It is very unfortunate that he should be absent just now." "Doesn't any body hear from him?" she asked, hearing the remark for perhaps the fiftieth time. "I don't know. I'll go and ask Dale," he answered, taking up his hat and hurrying from the house. He had not gone a hundred yards when he espied--welcome sight!--Kenneth himself walking briskly toward him. They met with a hearty handshaking and words of cordial greeting. "Come at last," said the major, "and just when you are sorely needed. I believe in my heart Nell's in a dangerous condition, and Buell's doing her no good. I must take you home with me at once." "But--" "No but about it," interrupted the major bluntly. "He was called in with the distinct understanding that the moment you returned the case would be put into your hands, you being the family physician." Kenneth made no further objection, but went with his friend, asking a few hurried questions by the way in regard to the nature of the malady and the length of time that had elapsed since the patient's seizure. Nell, lying alone on her bed, heard the well-known step and voice in the outer room. What a thrill the sounds sent through her whole frame, making every nerve tingle with excitement! She half started up, flushing and trembling, then as step and voice drew nearer, fell back again, closed her eyes and hid her face in the bed clothes. "Nell, are you ready to see the doctor?" asked Clare's voice at the door. "No, nor ever shall be. I should think that you and Percy might be convinced by this time that his visits are doing me no good," answered the girl, in a tone of irritation. "But it's Dr. Clendenin this time, Nell," said Clare, stepping aside and motioning him to enter. Nell lay perfectly still and kept her eyes shut, resolved to appear utterly indifferent to his presence; but hers was a tell-tale face to him; he saw that the indifference was only assumed, yet failed to fully understand it. "I grieve to find you so ill," he said, bending over her, and speaking in the tone of extreme gentleness and compassion that ever touched her heart to its inmost core.