She turned to him with a bright smile.  “What can I do for you, dear?  Just tell me.  The letter can be finished afterward, you know.”

“I want nothing but you,” was the smiling rejoinder.  “Finish your letter, and then come and sit close by my side.

“But no; you must take your accustomed exercise in the open air.”

Considering a moment, “I think,” he said, “I’ll have you order the carriage for about the time you are likely to be done there, and we’ll have a drive together.”

She shook her head gravely.  “You are not fit for any such exertion.”

“Uncle Ben and Solon shall help me down the stairs and into the carriage, so there need be no exertion about it.”

“I won’t consent,” she said.  “The doctor left you in my charge; and his orders were, that you should keep quiet for the next few days.”

“You prefer to go alone, do you?”

“Yes, rather than have you injured by going with me.”

“Come here,” he said; and, laying down her pen, she obeyed.

He took both her hands in his, and, gazing with mock gravity up into her face as she stood over him, “What a little tyrant you are developing into!” he remarked, knitting his brows.  “Will you order the carriage, and take a drive in my company?”

“No.”

“Then what will you do?”

“Go by myself, or stay at home with you, just as you bid me.”

“What a remarkable mixture of tyranny and submission,” he exclaimed, laughing, as he pulled her down to put his arm round her, and kiss her first on one cheek, then on the other.  “I’ll tell you what we’ll do:  you finish that letter, read it to me, and take the benefit of my able criticisms; then I’ll try to get a nap while you take your drive or walk, whichever you prefer.”

“That will do nicely,” she said, returning his caresses; “if you will be pleased to let me go, I’ll order the carriage, finish the letter in five minutes, hear the able criticisms, put my patient to bed, and be off for my drive.”

“Do so,” he said, releasing her.

From this time forward, till the children were considered out of danger, and Edward was able to go about and attend to his affairs as usual, there were daily letters and telegrams passing between Viamede and Ion.  Then Dr. Conly came home, and almost immediately on his arrival drove over to Ion to see for himself if his patient there had entirely recovered, and to carry some messages and tokens of affection from the absent members of the family.

It was late in the afternoon that he reached Ion, and he found Edward and Zoe sitting together in the parlor; she with a bit of embroidery in her hands, he reading aloud to her.

Arthur was very warmly welcomed by both.

“Cousin Arthur, I’m delighted to see you!” cried Zoe, giving him her hand.

“And I no less so,” added Edward, offering his.  “How did you leave them all at Viamede?”