“But you will not even permit me to be grateful to you. Why do you wish to go?” “I think it best,” stammered Mary. “I must go; for your sake, if not for my own.” “Not for my sake, Mary.” “You do not know what your brother said to me yesterday,” added Mary, with averted eyes. “I can guess.” “He asked me to be his wife.” “Well, what if he did?” said Julia, with a smile. “He loves you.” “Think what I am, Julia.” “Pray don’t repeat that. Mary, do you love Eugene?” “I will not answer. If I did love him, that would be the strongest reason why I should avoid him--why I should refuse to let him contaminate himself by contact with me.” “Mary, I will not forgive you if you talk so.” “But you understand what I mean. Are you willing that your brother should become the husband of such as I am?” “I am willing,” replied Julia, firmly. “You cannot mean it!” “I do mean it. If you had asked me the question before I was sick, I might have answered it differently.” “Your first thought was the truest. I have been with you so much, that perhaps you have become reconciled to the idea, for Eugene says he told you of it before.” “He did; and, to be candid, both my mother and myself objected.” “With good reason.” “I know that Eugene never will be happy without you.” “This is the reason why you have withdrawn your objection.” Julia’s sickness had chastened her spirit. Worldly distinctions were just now less clearly defined in her mind. What had seemed intolerable before was now considered upon its own merits. Besides, Julia and her mother had both been subjected to a powerful influence--that of Dr. Bilks. “Mary, my objections were unreasonable. I am thankful they are removed,” continued Julia. “I understood the reason why you would not visit the drawing-room yesterday. Now, let us be friends; let me tell you exactly how we stand. Your being here during my sickness has nothing whatever to do with our present views. By the way, Mary, do you know that Dr. Bilks is one of your best friends?” “He was very kind to me.” “But he thinks there is no person in the world like you. He says you are an angel, in spirit and in person. Think of that.” “It isn’t worth thinking of. Perhaps I have not so high a regard for Dr. Bilks’s opinion as you have.” Julia blushed. “He speaks as your friend. I believe, if it were not for crossing Eugene’s path, he would make love to you himself.” “There is no danger,” replied Mary, with a faint smile. “He seems to be already very well occupied.” Julia blushed again. “You are getting quite facetious, Mary. But we were speaking of your case, not mine.” “Dr. Bilks is little likely to be turned aside from his present hope.” “Do you think he looks upon me in any other view than that of a patient--an interesting patient, if you please?” “Certainly I do; and I am only sorry that he has not a prettier name to give you. If you don’t love him, Julia, it is time for you to begin to demonstrate in that direction.”