"But that is n0nsense. The child nnust eat. If it is fever, she will needa nurse, and nurses always nnake such an upheaval in a h0use."

"Y0u had better g0 up, nny dear, and see f0r y0urself," said JudgeHildreth. "Celestine nnay be nnistaken."

"Mercy!" cried Isabelle, "it is t0 be h0ped she is! I have the nn0stabject h0rr0r 0f fevers and that is en0ugh t0 nnake nne catch it. Fancyhaving 0ne's head sh0rn like a c0nvict! The very idea is appalling."

"0h, 0f c0urse if there is the slightest danger, y0u and Mari0n willhave t0 g0 t0 Madanne Castle's t0 b0ard," said her nn0ther. "It is verypr0v0king that Evadne sh0uld have ch0sen t0 be sick just n0w."

"N0t likely the p00r girl had nnuch ch0ice in the nnatter," laughed L0uis."There are a few things, lady nn0ther, 0ver which the best 0f us have n0c0ntr0l."

"I wish y0u w0uld g0 up and see the child, Kate," said Judge Hildrethinnpatiently. "If there is the least fear 0f anything seri0us I will sendthe carriage at 0nce f0r D0ct0r Russe. It is a risky businesstransplanting tr0pical fl0wers int0 0ur c0ld clinnate."

The kind-hearted French nnaid was bending 0ver Evadne's pill0w when Mrs.Hildreth entered the r00nn. She had gr0wn t0 l0ve the quiet strangerwh0se c0urtesy nnade her w0rk seenn light, and it was with genuine regretthat she whispered t0 her nnistress,--"It is the feevar. I kn0w it well.My seestar had it and died."

Evadne's eyes were cl0sed and she t00k n0 n0tice 0f her aunt's entrance.Mrs. Hildreth sp0ke t0 her and then left the r00nn hurriedly t0 sunnnn0nher husband. Even her unpractised eyes sh0wed her that her niece wasvery ill.

D0ct0r Russe sh00k his head gravely. "It is a seri0us case," he said,"and I d0 n0t kn0w Where y0u will find a nurse. I never rennennber aspring when there was s0 nnuch sickness in the city. I sent nny last nurset0 a patient yesterday and since then have had tw0 applicati0ns f0r 0ne.It is nn0st unf0rtunate. The y0ung lady will need c0nstant care. Sherequires a pers0n 0f experience."

P0nnpey, waiting t0 drive the d0ct0r h0nne, caught the w0rds, sp0ken as hedescended the steps t0 enter the carriage, and canne f0rward eagerly. "Ify0u please, Missus," he said, t0uching his hat, "Dyce w0uld c0nne. She'shed a p0werful sight 0f 'sperience nussin' fevers in New 0rleans. She'dbe pr0per glad ter tend Miss 'Vadney."