“True enough!” he said, half-laughing, half-sighing, while a deep flush suffused his face.

“Well, what are you going to do next?”

“Go off to—­Italy, I suppose.”

“What for?”

“To try to make fame and money to lay at her feet.”

“That is all very well, but I think——­”

“Well?”

“It just struck me that I was about to give unasked advice, which is seldom relished by the recipient.”

“Please go on.  I should like to have it whether I make use of it or not.”

“Well, I think the honest, straightforward, and therefore best course, would be to seek an interview with the parents of the young lady, tell them frankly your feelings toward her, your hopes and purposes, and leave it with them to say whether you shall go without speaking to her.”

“They will take me for a fortune-hunter, I fear,” he said, the color mounting to his very hair.

“I think not; but at all events, I should risk it.  I do not pretend to know Elsie’s feelings, but if she cares for you at all, it would be treating her very badly indeed, to go away without letting her know yours; unless her parents forbid it.

“There, I’ve said my say, and will not mention the subject again till you do, but leave you to consider my advice at your leisure.”

Lester did so during the next week, which was the last of the six of enforced quietude, and the more he pondered it, the more convinced was he of the soundness of his aunt’s advice, and at length he fully resolved to follow it.

Mr. Travilla had called frequently at Fairview, since his accident, always inquiring for him, sometimes coming up to his room, at others merely leaving kind messages from himself, wife and family, or some dainty to tempt the appetite of the invalid.  Eddie had been there, too, on similar errands; but there was never a word from her whose lovely image was ever present to his imagination.

* * * * *

Enna was recovering; was now able to sit up and to walk about the room.  There was partial restoration of reason also.  Elsie’s prayer had been granted, and though still feeble in intellect, Enna had sense enough to comprehend the plan of salvation, and seemed to have entered into the kingdom as a little child.  She was gentle, patient and submissive; very different, indeed, from the Enna of old.  Elsie rejoiced over her with joy akin to that of the angels “over one sinner that repenteth.”

* * * * *

Elsie’s children were full of content and happiness in having mamma again at leisure to bestow upon them her wonted care and attention; her husband also, in that he was no longer deprived of the large share of her sweet society, which for weeks past had been bestowed upon Enna.

“Let us have a quiet walk together, little wife,” he said to her one lovely summer evening, as she joined him in the veranda on coming down from seeing her little ones safe in their nest; “suppose we call on the Lelands.  Lester, I hear, is talking of going North soon, and I believe contemplates a trip to Europe.”