who had been left in charge.  I got up, and found him in a state of high fever and great pain, and from that time to the present, I have hardly thought of the circumstance, and know not why I have now written it to you.  Did my danger actually bring Edmund nearer, or did its presence act on my imagination?  Be that as it may, I think, after the first impression of awe and terror, the having heard the dear old voice braced me, and gave me a sense of being near home and less lonely.  Not that my hurt has been for an instant dangerous, and I am mending every day; if it were warmer I should get on faster, but I cannot stir into the air without bringing on cough.  Tell Ulick O’More that we entertained his brother at tea last evening, we were obliged to desire him to bring his own cup, and he produced the shell of a land tortoise; it was very like the fox and the crane.  Poor fellow, it was the first good meal he had for weeks, and I was glad he came in for some famous bread that the General had sent us in.  He made us much more merry than was convenient to either of us, not being in condition for laughing.  He is a fine lad, and liked by all.’  Then came a break, and the letter closed with such tidings of Inkermann as had reached the invalid’s tent.

A few lines from General Ferrars spoke of the improvement in both patients, adding that Fred had had a hard struggle for his life, and had only been saved, by Gilbert’s unremitting care by day and night.

Heroism had not transformed Gilbert, and Albinia’s old fondness glowed with double ardour as she mused over his history of the battle-eve.  His father attributed the impression to a mind full of presage and excitement, acted upon by strong memory; but woman-like, Albinia preferred the belief that the one twin might have been an actual messenger to cheer and strengthen the other for the coming trial.  Sophy only said, ‘Gilbert’s fancies as usual.’

‘This was not like fancy,’ said Albinia.  ’This is an unkind way of taking it.’

‘It is common sense,’ she bluntly answered.  ’I don’t see why he should think that Edmund has nothing better to do than to call him.  It would be childish.’

Albinia did not reply, disturbed by this display of jealousy and harshness, as if every bud of tenderness had been dried up and withered, and poor Sophy only wanted to run counter to any obvious sentiment.

Albinia was grateful for the message which gave her an excuse for seeking Ulick out, and endeavouring to conciliate him.  Mr. Kendal made no objection, and expressed a hope that he might have become reasonable.  She therefore contrived to waylay him in the November darkness, holding out her hand so that he took it at unawares, as if not recollecting that he was offended, but in the midst his grasp relaxed, and his head went up.

‘I have a message for you from Gilbert about your brother Bryan,’ she said, and he could not defend himself from manifesting eager interest, as she told of the tea-party; but that over, it was in stiff formal English that he said, ‘I hope you had a good account.’