Zoe remained where she was, shedding some tears of mingled anger and grief, then hastily endeavoring to remove their traces; for Arthur would be sure to step into the parlor, to see her before leaving, if it were but for a moment.

She had barely recovered her composure when he came in, having found his patient not in need of a lengthened visit.

His face was bright, his tone cheery and kind, as he bade her good-morning, and asked after her health.

“I’m very well, thank you,” she said, giving him her hand.  “Is Miss Deane’s accident a very bad one?”

“It is a severe sprain,” he said:  “she will not be able to bear her weight upon that ankle for six weeks.”  Then seeing Zoe’s look of dismay, shrewdly guessing at the cause, he hastened to add, “But she might be sent home in an ambulance a few days hence, without the least injury.”

Zoe looked greatly relieved, Edward scarcely less so.

“I can’t understand how she came to fall,” remarked Arthur reflectively.

“Nor I,” said Zoe.  “Wouldn’t it be well for you to advise her never to set foot on that dangerous veranda again?”

Arthur smiled.  “That would be a waste of breath,” he said, “while Ion is so delightful a place to visit.”

“How are they all at Viamede?” he asked, turning to Edward.

“Quite well at last accounts, thank you,” Edward replied, adding, with a slight sigh, “I wish they were here,—­my mother at least, if none of the others.”

Zoe colored violently.  “Cousin Arthur, do you think I am needed in your patient’s room?” she asked.

“Only to cheer and amuse her with your pleasant society,” he answered.

“She would find neither pleasure nor amusement in my society,” said Zoe; “and hers is most distasteful to me.”

“That’s a pity,” said Arthur, with a look of concern.  “Suppose I lend you Ella for a few days?  She, I think, would rather enjoy taking the entertainment of your guest off your hands.”

“Oh, thank you!” said Zoe, brightening; “that would be a relief:  and, besides, I should enjoy Ella myself, between times, and after Miss Deane goes home.”

“Please tell Ella we will both be greatly obliged if she will come,” Edward said.

“I’ll do so,” said Arthur, rising to go; “but I have a long drive to take, in another direction, before returning to Roselands.  And you must remember,” he added with a smile, “that I lend her for only a few days.  Cal and I wouldn’t know how to do without her very long.”

With that, he took his departure, leaving Edward and Zoe alone together.

“I am sorry, Zoe, that you thought it necessary to let Arthur into the secret of the mutual dislike between Miss Deane and yourself,” remarked Edward, in a grave, reproving tone.

Zoe colored angrily.  “I don’t care who knows it,” she retorted, with a little toss of her head.  “I did not think it necessary to let Arthur into the secret, as you call it (I don’t consider it one), but neither did I see any objection to his knowing about it.”