Master Herbert, who has fallen asleep; but its a bad business, miss, I have heard of scarlet fever clearing a house," continued the maid, who, like the lower class generally, was a Job's comforter, and always looked on the dark side of things.

A chill came over Edith at her melancholy forebodings, but, recovering herself, she replied

"We must hope for the best, Davis, but, I am sure, you must have had little, if any, rest, and you must not be worn out; we could ill spare you. I hope to give you much assistance myself, and I have also seen nurse Benson and asked her to come and help us whilst we have such a sick house, and you must take a night's rest now, and dear mamma also, as we two will take your places meanwhile with the invalids."

The maid gratefully acquiesced in this kind arrangement, which, so considerately communicated, prevented her from fancying herself superseded by the new comer.

Fearing to agitate her father by a too sudden appearance, it had been agreed upon between Mr. Heywood and herself that when he called in the afternoon, he should break her return home

to Mr. Howard, and himself take her to the invalid, and, finding the others were reposing, Edith now bent her steps to the housekeeper's room. But before leaving her own chamber, when alone, she knelt down and fervently prayed for strength and support in the trial that might be awaiting her, and for guidance in her anxious and arduous duties. Having risen refreshed and calmed, she, with renewed energy, commenced making her arrangements, for Mrs. Howard had not left the sick room, and seemed too bewildered to give any orders; thus the house was, till Edith's arrival, without a head.

She found Mrs. Morton delighted to see her, but full of troubles, not knowing what to do, "for some one is always asking for something that I have not got, and I don't know what to make, miss, and there's the truth of it," said the housekeeper.

Edith succeeded in restoring her equanimity by putting the provision for the lower house into her sole charge, knowing her to be a very trustworthy person; she then made a list of such sick messes as nurse Benson and herself had agreed should be in constant supply, adding

"You must keep a stock of your delicious

jelly and nourishing soup, Mrs. Morton, for dear mamma, whose strength must be kept up under all her fatigue and anxiety;" and smiling pleasantly, she continued "You know the doctors say they can do nothing without the nurses, and I am sure the nurses can do nothing without the kitchen physic, so we shall depend immensely on you."

The housekeeper, pleased to know what to do, and gratified by feeling of how much real use and importance she was to the invalids, declared herself willing to be of any service, and determined, in her own mind, that Miss Edith should have the nicest little dinner she could prepare, and should, also, have nothing to worry her that she could avoid.

Having thus satisfactorily set the machinery of the household going again, and with a few kind words to each, put all in good humour, Edith went upstairs, and, finding that Mrs. Howard was asleep, went to Herbert's bedside, whom she found tossing about in the restlessness of fever and pain. He was pleased to see her, and when she bad shaken up his pillows, smoothed his bed-clothes, and bathed his head with eau de Cologne, she moistened his lips with

an orange, and he declared he felt more comfortable than he had been at all, and thought he could go to sleep again if she would remain with him. This she agreed to do, and half an hour afterwards Mrs. Howard came in and found her there.

She at first tried to scold her for leaving the Rectory, saying her father would be so vexed, but she was evidently very glad to have some one to help and be with her, and owned, though she feared it was very selfish, that it was a great relief to have her at home again, as she could not see to anything in the house, nor attend to both invalids at once.

Edith deferred her arrangements to Mrs. Howard, who was well satisfied with all she had done, and especially that she had engaged a person whom her husband would not object to have about him. Nurse Benson and the doctor soon after arrived, and Edith took her place in Mr. Howard's room, who, feeling the mischief, if any, was now done, resigned himself to the comfort of his daughter's affectionate care.

CHAPTER VIII.

"Oh, blessings on his kindly voice, and on his silver hair, And, blessing on his whole life long, until he meets me there; He showed me all the mercy, for he taught me all the sin, Now, though my lamp was lighted late, there's One will let me in

TENNYSON.

EDITH'S troubles thickened, for Mrs. Howard fell ill, and she had to divide her time between the invalids; and now nurse Benson was invaluable, for the other servants were getting worn out, and the many nights and days of anxious watching began to tell on Edith's appearance, but, strong in her love, she assured those around her that she felt well, and did not need more rest than she obtained, at snatches, on the sofa in her father's apartment.

Whilst watching by his bedside one evening, she heard the doctor's step and a stranger's