“Yes; it is a meek, faithful beast of burden, and will very willingly bear the weight of that scientific name until you want to use it; so do not tax your mind now.  You said you stole it from me, but my dear, ambitious authorling, my little round-jacket scribbler, I wish you to understand distinctly that I do not consider that I have been robbed.  The fact was discovered by Professor Schultze, and bequeathed by him to the world.  From that instant it became universal, common property, which any man, woman, or child may use at pleasure, provided a tribute of gratitude is paid to the donor.  Every individual is in some sort an intellectual bank, issuing bills of ideas (very often specious, but not always convertible into gold or silver); and now, my precious little boy, recollect that just as long as I have any capital left, you can borrow; and some day I will turn Shylock, and make you pay me with usury.”

“Edna, I should like above all things to write a book of stories for poor, sick children; little tales that would make them forget their suffering and deformity.  If I could even reconcile one lame boy to being shut up indoors, while others are shouting and skating in the sunshine, I should not feel as if I were so altogether useless in the world.  Edna, do you think that I shall ever be able to do so?”

“Perhaps so, dear Felix; certainly, if God wills it.  When you are stronger we will study and write together, but to-day you must compose yourself and be silent.  Your fever is rising.”

“The doctor left some medicine yonder in that goblet, but mamma has forgotten to give it to me.  I will take a spoonful now, if you please.”

His face was much flushed; and as she kissed him and turned away, he exclaimed: 

“Oh! where are you going?”

“To my room, to take off my hat.”

“Do not be gone long.  I am so happy now that you are here again.  But I don’t want you to get out of my sight.  Come back soon, and bathe my head.”

On the following day, when Mr. Manning called to welcome her home, he displayed an earnestness and depth of feeling which surprised the governess.  Putting his hand on her arm, he said in a tone that had lost its metallic ring: 

“How fearfully changed since I saw you last!  I knew you were not strong enough to endure the trial; and if I had had a right to interfere, you should never have gone.”

“Mr. Manning, I do not quite understand your meaning.”

“Edna, to see you dying by inches is bitter indeed!  I believed that you would marry Murray—­at least I knew any other woman would—­and I felt that to refuse his affection would be a terrible trial, through which you could not pass with impunity.  Why you rejected him I have no right to inquire, but I have a right to ask you to let me save your life.  I am well aware that you do not love me, but at least you can esteem and entirely trust me; and once more I hold out my hand to you and say, give me the wreck