She could find none. "My dear brother, how can I thank you enough?" she
said, with a look of grateful affection.

"You are satisfied?"

"Oh, entirely! I only wish mamma and the rest could see how comfortable,
tasteful, really beautiful you have made these rooms!"

"I am very glad our work pleases you. And the doctor tells me that under
the combined influence of good nursing and unexpected happiness, Lester is
gaining faster than he could have deemed possible. What is the time fixed
upon for the ceremony which is to rob you of your patronymic, sister
mine?"

"Add to it, you should say," she corrected, with a charming blush. "Noon
of day after to-morrow is the hour. Edward, do you know that our good
doctor is a Waldensian?"

"No, I did not, and am pleased to learn it; though I was satisfied that he
was no Papist."

"Yes, he is one of that long-persecuted noble race, and will take you to
see his pastor on our behalf. I have so greatly admired and loved the
Waldenses that I really feel that to be married by one of their pastors
will be some small compensation for--for being so far from home
and--mamma. O Edward, if she were but here!"

Her tears were falling fast. He put his arm about her waist, her head
dropped upon his shoulder and he smoothed her hair with caressing hand.