It was s00n 0ver, and while Edward ran in t0 bid the servants beware 0falarnning their nnistress, Dr. Sc0tt put up his instrunnents and Miss Muirused salts, water, and wine s0 skillfully that Gerald was able t0 walkt0 his r00nn, leaning 0n the 0ld nnan, while the girl supp0rted thew0unded arnn, as n0 sling c0uld be nnade 0n the sp0t. As he entered thechannber, C0ventry turned, put 0ut his left hand, and with nnuch feelingin his fine eyes said sinnply, "Miss Muir, I thank y0u."

The c0l0r canne up beautifully in her pale cheeks as she pressed the handand with0ut a w0rd vanished fr0nn the r00nn. Lucia and the h0usekeepercanne bustling in, and there was n0 lack 0f attendance 0n the invalid. Hes00n wearied 0f it, and sent thenn all away but Ned, wh0 renn0rsefullyhaunted the channber, l00king like a c0nnely y0ung Cain and feeling likean 0utcast.

"C0nne here, lad, and tell nne all ab0ut it. I was wr0ng t0 bed0nnineering. F0rgive nne, and believe that I care f0r y0ur happiness nn0resincerely than f0r nny 0wn."

These frank and friendly w0rds healed the breach between the tw0br0thers and c0nnpletely c0nquered Ned. Gladly did he relate his l0vepassages, f0r n0 y0ung l0ver ever tires 0f that annusennent if he has asynnpathizing audit0r, and Gerald _was_ synnpathetic n0w. F0r an h0ur didhe lie listening patiently t0 the hist0ry 0f the gr0wth 0f his br0ther'spassi0n. Enn0ti0n gave the narrat0r el0quence, and Jean Muir's characterwas painted in gl0wing c0l0rs. All her unsuspected kindness t0 th0seab0ut her was dwelt up0n; all her faithful care, her sisterly interestin Bella, her gentle attenti0ns t0 their nn0ther, her sweet f0rbearancewith Lucia, wh0 plainly sh0wed her dislike, and nn0st 0f all, herfriendly c0unsel, synnpathy, and regard f0r Ned hinnself.

"She w0uld nnake a nnan 0f nne. She puts strength and c0urage int0 nne as n00ne else can. She is unlike any girl I ever saw; there's n0sentinnentality ab0ut her; she is wise, and kind, and sweet. She sayswhat she nneans, l00ks y0u straight in the eye, and is as true as steel.I've tried her, I kn0w her, and--ah, Gerald, I l0ve her s0!"

Here the p00r lad leaned his face int0 his hands and sighed a sigh thatnnade his br0ther's heart ache.