CHAPTER VI.
"Then come the wild weather--come sleet or come snow, We will stand by each other, however it blow; Oppression and sickness, and sorrow and pain, Shall be to our true love as links to the chain." -- _Longfellow_.

(From the German.) "Courage, sister dear!" whispered Edward Travilla, putting an arm tenderly about Elsie's waist as they found themselves at the very door of Lester Leland's studio.
Her face had grown very pale and she was trembling with agitation.
Still supporting her with his arm, Edward rapped gently upon the door, and at the same instant it was opened from within by the attending physician, who had just concluded his morning call upon his patient.
He was an Italian of gentlemanly appearance and intelligent countenance.
"Some friends of Signor Leland: from America ?" he said in good English and with a polite bow.
"Yes.

How is he ?" Edward asked, stepping in and drawing his sister on with him.
"Sick, signor, very sick, but he will grow better now.

I shall expect to see him up in a few weeks," the doctor answered with a significant glance and smile as he turned, with a second and still lower bow, to the sweet, fair maiden.
She did not see it, for her eyes were roving round the room--a disorderly and comfortless place enough, but garnished with some gems of art; an unfinished picture was on the easel; there were others with their faces to the wall; models, statues in various stages of completion, and the implements of painter and sculptor were scattered here and there; a screen, an old lounge, a few chairs, and a table littered with books, papers, and drawing materials, completed the furniture of the large, dreary apartment.
An open door gave a glimpse into an inner room, from which came a slight sound as of a restless movement, a sigh or groan.
Pointing to the chairs, the physician invited the strangers to be seated.
Edward put his sister in one and took possession of another close at her side.
"How soon can we see Mr.Leland ?" he asked, putting his card into the doctor's hand.
"I will go and prepare Signor Leland for the interview," the doctor answered, and disappeared through the open doorway.
"Good news for you, signor!" they heard him say in a quiet tone.
"Ah! let me hear it," sighed a well-known voice.

"'As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.'" "You are right, signor, it comes from far-off America.