"Would you miss me very much, Milly?" said the doctor, gently stroking the fair curls. "Miss you! O, I don't think I could ever love my own papa and mamma if you did not love me still." And as the doctor sat down in the summer-house, Milly threw her arms about his neck, and kissed him fondly. Meanwhile Major Ferrers had gone in to tell his wife the result. "I think we shall bring the doctor round," he said, gleefully rubbing his hands as he told her what had passed in the garden. "I don't think there's so much to be glad about," said the lady, a little discontentedly. "In fact, I thought at first that such a plan would not do at all." "Why not?" asked her husband, in some surprise. "Well, you see, I thought it was very possible, that if he was so fond of Milly, he would be jealous of our claims upon her, and that would make it very disagreeable if we were living together; for, of course, I should expect the first place in my child's affections. But he has certainly acted very sensibly, I must say, and therefore I can have no objection to his coming to live with us, if you and Milly wish it." What it had cost the doctor to act "sensibly," as Mrs. Ferrers called it, she did not know. Many a hard battle had to be fought with himself over this first place in Milly's affections, that her mother talked of as her right; but the victory had been gained, and brought with it its own reward. No thought of first or second place in her love troubled him now, as he sat in the summer-house, holding her on his knee, glad that he should not be separated from her—that he should still be able to watch over her. This thought filled his heart, and Milly was not less happy than the doctor. "I don't think I'm afraid now," she said, after a lengthened pause, gently stroking the doctor's face. "Afraid of what, Milly?" asked the doctor. "Don't you remember I was afraid you would love papa most a little while ago?" she said. He smiled at the thought of such a thing. "Then you are not afraid of it now?" he asked. "No, not a bit. I think God has made us all love one another; only—" (she added in a whisper) "I can't love mamma quite enough yet; but I dare say that will come by and by, and I dare say I shall soon love her almost as well I do you and papa." "Yes, Milly, you must try and love your mamma," said the doctor; "she will be grieved if her little girl does not love her." It was a surprise to the doctor himself that he could talk to the little girl in this way, but somehow the jealousy had all gone out of his heart, and it was almost with the gladness of a little child that he could look forward to going once more into the world. A few months afterwards, Major Ferrers, with his wife, and Milly, and Dr. Mansfield, removed to London. An arrangement had been made that part of the year should be spent there, and part at the doctor's old house.