faltered.

"Remember, sister," he continued, "that I am at home here in this
climate, and trust me. Or, better still, I will at once consult Dr.
Yonge, and I know you will trust him. And, sister, get everything ready
so that we--Barbara, you, and I--may take the very first train for
Orvieto. That will take her in two hours into a high and pure
atmosphere. The others can follow as soon as possible."

Quickly the plans were made. Malcom, Margery, and Bettina were to be
left to complete the packing of trunks. Dr. Yonge agreed fully with Mr.
Sumner, and on the nine o'clock train northward Mrs. Douglas, Barbara,
and Mr. Sumner left Rome.

Miss Sherman, quite upset by the rapid movement of affairs, decided to
remain a little longer in Rome with friends whom she had met there, and
join the others later in Venice.

It was a severe trial to poor Bettina to see her darling sister thus
almost literally borne away from her. But she tried to put faith in Mr.
Sumner's assurances, and bravely resisted the anxious longing to go with
her. She immediately gave herself up to the work of finishing the
packing of their own trunks and of helping Margery all she could.

Mr. Sumner had commissioned Malcom to go up to his studio and gather
into boxes all his canvases and painting materials; and soon all three
were working as fast as they could, with the design of following the
others the next morning.

Presently Malcom appeared at Bettina's door with the request that she