"My kindest of fathers! you would if possible spare me every trial, bear
all my burdens. But perhaps the dear child may suffer less in hearing the
sad news from her mother's lips, as, in her place, I could bear it better
from yours than from any other."

"Unselfish as ever, my darling," he said, "but I believe you are
right--that the blow will be somewhat softened to Elsie coming to her
through the medium of her tender and dearly loved mother."

"I think, papa," Mrs. Travilla said, checking her horse to a walk as they
entered the avenue at Ion, "I shall reserve my communication until my poor
child has had her breakfast."

He expressed approval of her decision, adding interrogatively, "You will
breakfast with the family this morning?"

"Yes, sir; if I find all going well in the sick-room."

A servant was in waiting to lead the horses away to the stable. Violet,
Edward, Harold and Herbert, just returned from their ride, were on the
veranda.

Edward hastened to assist his mother to alight, and all gathered about her
and their grandfather with morning greetings spoken in cheerful but
subdued tones; no one forgetting for a moment the illness of the little
pet brother and sister, but all inquiring anxiously how they and "Mamma"
had passed the night, and what was cousin Arthur's report of their
condition this morning.