There was between the picture I have drawn and this reality, all the painful difference between stately and beautiful matronhood, and the old age that, no longer capable of ministering to its own decencies, has grown careless of them.
"At this time of the day there is plenty of sun here." said his nurse, in a tone that seemed to savour of apology.
"I think," said Cosmo, "the gardener told me some parts of the grounds were better kept than this." "Yes," answered Joan, "but none of them are anything like what they should be.

My brother is so poor." "I don't believe you know what it is to be poor," said Cosmo.
"Oh, don't I!" returned Joan with a sigh.

"You see Constantine requires for his experiments all the little money the trustees allow." [Illustration] "I know this part," said Cosmo.

"I made acquaintance with it the last thing as I was growing ill.

It looks to me so melancholy! If I were here, I should never rest till I had with my own hands got it into some sort of order." "Are you as strong as you used to be, Cosmo--I mean when you are well ?" asked Joan, willing to change the direction of the conversation.
"A good deal stronger, I hope," answered Cosmo.