She looked pale and anxious, and occasionally a tear would roll quickly down her cheek.
At last the door opened, and Arthur stepped softly across the room to her side.
"Cheer up, little cousin," he said kindly.

"Edward seems to be doing very well; and if you will be a good, quiet little woman, you may go and sit by his side." "Oh, thank you! I'll try," she said, starting up at once.

"But mayn't I talk to him at all ?" "Not much to-night," was the reply; "not more than seems absolutely necessary; and you must be particularly careful not to say any thing that would have the least tendency to excite him." "Oh, then he must be very, very ill,--terribly injured!" she cried, with a burst of tears and sobs.
"That does not necessarily follow," Arthur said, taking her hand, and holding it in a kindly pressure.

"But you must be more composed, or," playfully, "I shall be compelled to exert my authority so far as to forbid you to go to him." "Oh, no, no! don't do that!" she cried pleadingly.

"I'll be calm and quiet; indeed, indeed I will." "That's right," he said.