“No; I could not be excused.  I must join my regiment, Rose.”

“But, Cora!  Oh, Cora!  You will not leave us now?  You are not under orders, and—­and—­I wish you would stay,” pleaded Rose.

“I shall stay, Rose.  It is as much my bounden duty to stay as it is that of Sylvan to go,” answered Cora.

“Oh, that is such a relief to my feelings!” exclaimed the other lady.

Dr. Cummins looked up in surprise, glancing from one woman to the other.

Sylvan undertook to explain.

“My sister was going out with me, sir.  I am her nearest relative, as she is mine, and we do not like to be separated.”

“Ah!” said the doctor.  “And now, very properly, she decides to stay here.”

“For a while, Dr. Cummins—­until the case of my grandfather shall be decided.  Later I shall certainly follow my brother,” Cora explained.

Before another word could be uttered the door opened, and Violet Rockharrt, in a silver gray carriage dress, entered the room.  Mr. Fabian sprang up to meet her.

“My dear child, why have you come out here against all orders?”

Mrs. Fabian Rockharrt saluted all the company at the breakfast, who had risen to receive her, and then replied to her husband’s question.

“I have come to see how our father is.  It was twelve o’clock last night when your messenger arrived at the Banks and told me that you would not be able to return that night, because an accident had happened to Mr. Rockharrt.  Not a dangerous one, but yet one that would keep you with him for some hours.  I know very well how accidents are smoothed over in being reported to women; so I was not reassured by that clause, and I would have set out for Rockhold immediately if it had not been a starless midnight, making the road dangerous to others as well as myself.  But I was up at daybreak to start this morning, and here I am.”

“Sit down, my child; sit down.  You look pale and tired.  Ah! did not our good doctor here forbid you taking long walks or rides?”

“I know, Fabian; but sometimes a woman must be a law to herself.  It was my duty to come in person and inquire after our father; so I came, even against orders,” said Violet, composedly.

“Now look at that little creature, doctor.  She seems as soft as a dove, as gentle as a lamb; but she is perfectly lawless.  She defies me, abuses me, and upon occasion thrashes me.  Would you believe it of her?” demanded Mr. Fabian, gazing with pride and delight on his good little wife.

“Oh, yes; I can quite believe it.  She looks a perfect shrew, vixen, virago!  Oh, how I pity you, Mr. Fabian!” said the doctor.

Cora filled out a cup of coffee and brought it to the visitor, whispering: 

“I am glad you came, Violet.  I do not believe it will hurt you one bit in any way.”

“Can I see father?  I want to see for myself, and to kiss him, and tell him how sorry I am; and I want to help to nurse him.  Say, can I see him?”