"Although I know that you are very much attached to Miss Jane, and would faithfully endeavor to nurse her, you are so young and inexperienced that I do not feel quite willing to leave her entirely to your guardianship; and, therefore, shall send a woman here to-night who will fully understand the case. She is a professional nurse, and Dr. Grey will be relieved to hear that his sister is in her hands, for he has great confidence in her good sense and discretion. I shall stop at the telegraph office, as I go home, and urge him to return at once. Give me his address. Do not look so dejected. Miss Grey has a better constitution than most persons are disposed to believe, and she may struggle through this attack." The new year was ushered in by heavy and incessant rains, and, having imprudently insisted upon superintending the drainage of a new sheepfold and the erection of an additional cattle-shed, Miss Jane had taken a severe cold, which resulted in pneumonia. Assiduously and tenderly Salome watched over her, and even after the arrival of Hester Dennison, the nurse, the orphan's solicitude would not permit her to quit the apartment where her benefactress lay struggling with disease; while Miss Jane shrank from the stranger, and preferred to receive the medicine from the hand of her adopted child. When Dr. Sheldon stood by the bed early next morning, and noted the effect of his treatment, Salome's keen eye observed the dissatisfied expression of his face, and she drew sad auguries from his clouded brow. He took a paper from his pocket, and said, cheerfully,-- "Come, Miss Jane, get up a smile to pay me for the good news I bring. Can you guess what this means?" holding an envelope close to her eyes. "More blisters and fever mixtures, I suppose. Doctor, my poor side is in a dreadful condition." As she laid her hand over her left lung, she winced and groaned. "How much would you give to have your brother's hand, instead of mine, on your pulse?" "All that I am worth! But my boy is in Europe, and can't come back to me now, when I need him most." "No, he is in New York. You have been dreaming, and forget that he has reached America." "No, I never knew it. Salome, is there a letter?" "No letter, but a dispatch announcing his arrival. I told you; but you must have fallen asleep while I was talking to you." "No such thing! I have not slept a wink for a week." "That is right, Miss Jane; scold as much as you like; it will do you no harm. But, meantime, let me tell you I have just heard from Dr. Grey, and he is now on his way home." Salome was sitting near the pillow, and suddenly her head bowed itself, while her lips whispered, inaudibly,-- "Thank God!" The invalid's face brightened, and, stretching her thin, hot hand towards the orphan, she touched her shoulder, and said:-- "Do you hear that, my child? Ulpian is coming home. When will he be here?"