not marry unless I feel that I can always be content to stay with my
husband when he is not able to go with me."

"But business may prevent him very often when sickness does not, and you
may grow very weary of staying always at home," he said, softly smoothing
her hair, then bending to touch his lips to her smooth white forehead and
smile into the large dark eyes lifted to his as she knelt at the side of
his chair.

"No, no! not if he is as dear and kind as you are, papa. But no other man
is, I think."

"Quite a mistake, my pet; the world surely contains many better men than
your father."

"I should be exceedingly angry if any one else said that to me," she
returned indignantly.

At that he drew her closer to him with a little pleased laugh. "We love
each other very dearly, do we not, my darling?" he said; then sighed
deeply.

"Indeed we do!" she answered, gazing anxiously up into his face. "How
pale and ill you look, papa! do lie down and rest."

"Presently, when my work has progressed a little farther," he said,
putting her gently aside, straightening himself and resuming his pencil.

Evelyn was beginning a remonstrance, but at the sound of wheels upon the
drive sprang to the window, exclaiming, "Can mamma be coming back