The doctor looked waggishly at Miss Corbin, in order to keep up her spirits, but his face grew very grave as he spoke to Minnie at the door. "She must not see anyone," he said emphatically, "mind that, Miss Pelch. I was obliged to say she could speak to Sir Guy Errington for five minutes, as she grows so excited over being contradicted. If he does come, let her see him for that time, but don't let her grow excited. I'll call in again to-night, to see how she is." "Is she very ill?" asked Minnie in dismay. "So ill," said Pargowker, putting on his hat, "that if she's not kept absolutely quiet, she won't recover." "Oh!" said Miss Pelch in an alarmed tone, and would have asked more questions, only Dr. Pargowker was already in his brougham, on his way to another patient. Minnie returned to the drawing-room, with a cheerful face, so as not to let Miss Corbin see her feelings, but that indomitable lady was determined to have the truth, and tackled her at once. "Well, what did he say?" she demanded, sharply. "Only that you were to keep yourself quiet, dear Miss Jelly," replied Minnie, taking up her work, a green parrot being embroidered on a red tree, against a yellow ground and a purple sky. "What else?" "Nothing!" "Minnie, you are deceiving me," said Aunt Jelly solemnly. "I can see it in your face. Do you think it's right to deceive a dying person?" "You're not dying," whimpered Minnie, beginning to cry. "I'm not far off it, at all events," retorted Miss Corbin, with a sigh. "I know my own constitution quite as well as that fool of a doctor, and I'm pretty sure I won't get well this time." "Oh, but you will--you will," cried Minnie, weeping. "Pooh! nonsense, child," said Miss Corbin, kindly, "don't waste your tears over an old woman like me. I've had a long life, but by no means a happy one. Quantity not quality, I suppose. If I can only see Victoria engaged to that nice Macjean boy, and persuade my nephew out of his folly, I'll not be sorry to go." "Dr. Pargowker said you were not to see Sir Guy longer than five minutes, Miss Jelly." "Quite long enough." "And were not to excite yourself." "There, there, Minnie!" said Miss Jelly, impatiently. "I'll take good care of myself, you may be sure. What time did Sir Guy say he would be here?" "Four o'clock, dear Miss Corbin." "It's nearly that now," observed Aunt Jelly, looking at the clock. "I hope he won't keep me waiting. Young men are so careless now-a-days. Miss Sheldon has gone out?" "Yes! to the Academy with Mrs. Trubbles and Mr. Macjean." "Neither of whom know anything about pictures. It means flirting, not art, I've no doubt. Well! well, we must not be too hard on the young. Let me leave the world in peace, that's all I ask." Minnie put down her work, and came close to Miss Corbin, whose thin cold hand she took in her own. "Dear Miss jelly, don't talk like that," she said, softly, "indeed you will get well, I'm sure you will." "No, child, no!"