Unless that comes, I do not wish you to allude to the subject in your letters.  I think I know just how all things will go.  I believe that in one year, or less, all will be well.  But if the worst is to come, you with your instincts will foresee it, and I must be told.  I should return then at once.  I should have power, even at the last moment, I believe, to save John from disgrace.  But I should lose his love irrecoverably; it is to save that that I go.”

I could say but few words.  I was lifted up and borne out of myself, as it were, by my sister’s exaltation.  She seemed more like some angel-wife than like a mortal woman.  Before I left her room at noon, I believed almost as fully as she did in the wisdom and the success of her plan.

There was no time to be lost.  Every day between the announcement of her purpose and the carrying of it out, would be a fearful strain on Ellen’s nerves.  Dr. Willis had a long talk with John in his office while Ellen was talking with me.  John came home to dinner looking like a man who had received a mortal blow.  Dr. Willis had purposely given him to understand that Ellen’s life was in great danger.  So it was, but not from the cough!  At first John’s vehement purpose was to go with them.  But she was prepared for this.  His business and official relations were such that it was next to impossible for him to do it, and it would at best involve a great pecuniary sacrifice.  She overruled and remonstrated, and was so firm in her objections to every suggestion of his of accompanying or following her, that finally, in spite of all his anxiety, John seemed almost piqued at her preference for going alone.  In every conversation on the subject I saw more and more clearly that Ellen was right.  He did love her—­love her warmly, devotedly.

Two weeks from the day of my conversation with her they sailed for Liverpool.  The summer was to be spent in England, and the winter in Nice or Mentone.

Alice, the eldest daughter, a loving, sunshiny girl of twelve, was installed in her mother’s room.  This was Ellen’s especial wish.  She knew that in this way John would be drawn to the room constantly.  All her own little belongings were given to Alice.

“Only think, Auntie,” said she, “mamma has given me, all for my own, her lovely toilette set, and all the Bohemian glass on the bureau, and her ivory brushes!  She says when she comes home she shall refurnish her room and papa’s too!”

Oh, my wise Ellen.  Could Emma Long have done more subtly!

Early on the first evening after John returned from New York, having seen them off, I missed him.  I said bitterly to myself, “At Mrs. Long’s, I suppose,” and went up-stairs to find Alice.  As I drew near her room I heard his voice, reading aloud.  I went in.  He and Alice were lying together on a broad chintz-covered lounge, as I had so often seen him and Ellen.

“Oh, Auntie, come here,” said Alice, “hear mamma’s letter to me!  She gave it to papa in New York.  She says it is like the sealed orders they give to captains sometimes, not to be opened till they are out at sea.  It is all about how I am to fill her place to papa.  And there are ever so many little notes inside, more orders, which even papa himself is not to see! only I suppose he’ll recognize the things when I do them!”