Esther left the room with heavy step, and walked to the chamber where her mother was sitting.  Caddy also was there, rocking backwards and forwards in a chair, in an earnest endeavour to soothe to sleep little Em, who was sitting in her lap.

“Who was it, Esther?” asked, her mother.

“Mr. Walters,” she hesitatingly answered.

“Was it?  Well, has he heard anything of your father?” she asked, anxiously.

Esther turned away her head, and remained silent.

“Why don’t you answer?” asked her mother, with an alarmed look; “if you know anything of him, for God’s sake tell me.  Whatever it may be, it can’t be worse than I expect; is he dead?” she asked.

“No—­no, mother, he’s not dead; but he’s sick, very sick, mother.  Mr. Walters found him in the hospital.”

“In the hospital! how came he there?  Don’t deceive me, Esther, there’s something behind all this; are you telling me the truth? is he still alive?”

“Mother, believe me, he is still alive, but how long he may remain so, God only knows.”  Mrs. Ellis, at this communication, leant her head upon the table, and wept uncontrollably.  Caddy put down her little charge, and stood beside her mother, endeavouring to soothe her, whilst unable to restrain her own grief.

“Let us go to him, Esther,” said her mother, rising; “I must see him—­let us go at once.”

“We can’t, mother; Mr. Walters says it’s impossible for us to see him to-day; they don’t admit visitors after a certain hour in the morning.”

“They must admit me:  I’ll tell them I’m his wife; when they know that, they can’t refuse me.”  Quickly dressing themselves, Esther, Caddy, and their mother were about to start for the hospital, when Mr. Walters entered.

“Where are you all going?” he asked.

“To the hospital,” answered Mrs. Ellis; “I must see my husband.”

“I have just sent there, Ellen, to make arrangements to hear of him every hour.  You will only have the grief of being refused admission if you go; they’re exceedingly strict—­no one is admitted to visit a patient after a certain hour; try and compose yourselves; sit down, I want to talk to you for a little while.”

Mrs. Ellis mechanically obeyed; and on sitting down, little Em crept into her lap, and nestled in her arms.

“Ellen,” said Mr. Walters, taking a seat by her; “it’s useless to disguise the fact that Ellis is in a precarious situation—­how long he may be sick it is impossible to say; as soon as it is practicable, should he get better, we will bring him here.  You remember, Ellen, that years ago, when I was young and poor, Ellis often befriended me—­now ’tis my turn.  You must all make up your minds to remain with me—­for ever, if you like—­for the present, whether you like it or not.  I’m going to be dreadfully obstinate, and have my own way completely about the matter.  Here I’ve a large house, furnished