the flowers, but she ate nine-tenths of the nice things herself, I never suspecting her, and he was too delicate to ask if I enjoyed his presents.  At length he surprised her in the act of devouring a bunch of hot-house grapes, for which he had paid almost their weight in gold, and then all came to light, and he sent her off in a hurry.  Poor Fred, there were great tears in his eyes when he learned what persecution I had undergone, rather than vex him by complaints.”

“It would have been better had you told him sooner, dear!  It would have spared you and him much suffering.”

“I knew how engrossed he was by his business, and how ignorant he was of household or medical matters, and I saved him all the bother I could.  I have tried, in some things and some times, to be a good wife, Aunt Rachel!  But often I have failed, O, how egregiously! and”—­beginning to weep—­“the thought pierces my heart by day and by night.  What if I never have an opportunity of doing any better, of covering up the traces of my footsteps?”

Mrs. Sutton patted the wasted hand with her cool one, but essayed no other soothing.

“Where is your husband now?  I understood from your note that he was with you.”

“He rode over to Dr. Ritchie’s this morning, directly he had given me my breakfast.  He thinks highly of his skill, and he would not be contented without bringing him to see me.  I really believe he is anxious I should get well!  Strange—­isn’t it? when I am such a burden upon his mind and hands.”

Aunt Rachel smiled.

“Not at all strange, you ridiculous child!  Two of the most dearly-loved wives I ever knew were invalids, and bedridden, not for weeks only, but for years.  You can best show your gratitude for his affection and kindness by getting better rapidly while he is here, that he may leave you with a lighter heart.”

“He is kind! too kind!” murmured Rosa, composing herself among the cushions, as if to sleep.

She was quiet so long that Mrs. Button had leisure for some reflections relating to her own personal action in the somewhat embarrassing position she occupied.  She had never seen Frederic Chrlton from the day he left Ridgeley as Mabel’s betrothed.  His visits to the neighborhood since his marriage had been few and brief, and she had studied to avoid him whenever she happened to be with the William Suttons during one of these.  He might have guessed her design, or unwittingly favored it on his own account.  The meeting would not be more pleasant to him than to her.  But why had he allowed his wife to send for her?  The alteration in him must indeed be great, if he could, without a conflict with resentful and painful memories, bow his pride to sue for the services of a relative of the Ayletts, and formerly one of their household, even in such a cause as that which now commanded her sympathies.

At this point of her cogitation she became aware that Rosa’s eyes were wide open, and staring at her with a whimsical blending of curiosity, melancholy, and gratification.