"If you please, dear." And they passed on into the house together, while
Eric dropped exhausted into an easy-chair, and Lester took possession of
another close at his side.

"You are very weak, Eric," he remarked, in a tone of mingled affection
and concern; "and I fear suffer a great deal of pain."

"Yes, a good deal at times; but," he added with a joyous smile, "I shall
soon be in that land where there shall be no more pain, and the
inhabitants shall not say 'I am sick.'"

"Don't speak of it," said Lester hoarsely; "I must hope there are yet
years of life in this world before you."

"What a very pleasant room; what a delightful prospect from that window
looking toward the river!" Elsie exclaimed, as Evelyn led the way into
the spacious, airy apartment set apart for the occupation of herself and
husband during their stay.

"I think it is," Evelyn returned in a quiet tone; "that was the reason
papa and I selected it for you. We have two other spare rooms, but this
is the largest and has the loveliest views from its windows."

"Thank you, dear. Is your mamma well?"

"I suppose so; she was when we heard last, a day or two ago. She is at
Newport, Aunt Elsie; she found herself so worn out, she said, with
attending to the claims of society, that a trip to the seashore was quite
a necessity. Do you put the claims of society before everything else,