"So good! so kind! more than I dared hope! But how is she? my darling?"
Elsie heard in feeble, faltering, yet eager accents.

"Well, very well, and longing to come here and nurse you back to health."

"Ah, a glimpse of her sweet face I think would bring me back from the
borders of the grave! But I could not expect or ask such a sacrifice."

Elsie could wait no longer; she rose and glided with swift, almost
noiseless steps to the bedside.

Edward made way for her. Lester looked up, caught sight of her, and a
flash of exceeding joy lighted up his pale, emaciated features.

"Elsie!"

"Lester!"

She dropped on her knees, laid her face on the pillow beside his, and
their lips met in a long kiss.

"O love, love! how sweet, how kind, how dear in you!" he murmured.

"I have come to be your nurse," she said, with a lovely blush and smile,
"come to stay with you always while God spares our lives."

Soon Edward went out and left them together. He had much to attend to,
with Dinah and Ben for his helpers. Other and better apartments were
speedily rented, cleaned, and comfortably, even elegantly furnished. Their
mother had sent them off with full purses and carte blanche to draw upon