She couldn't do anything worse for mind or body than to sit and meditate in that cold, damp, lonely place." Mrs.Stanhope's eyes were opened, and she resolved to act on the doctor's suggestion, not only with regard to Elsli, but also to the fisherman's family.

She took measures directly for building a small house on her own land, in a dry situation, but not far from the river, so that he could continue his avocation as a fisherman, while she also gave him steady and profitable employment as a laborer on her estate.
Elsli was very happy watching the progress of the new house and fitting it up for its inmates, and she had the pleasure of seeing them comfortably established there before she went south for the winter.
Meantime Mrs.Stanhope, after much deliberation, and with considerable reluctance, for she was not accustomed to change a resolution once made, had come to a decision with regard to Fani's future, quite at variance with her former plans, which had been to bring him up with a knowledge of business, with a view to his becoming steward of her estates.
One evening she was sitting with the two children in the parlor after supper; for they no longer went out on the terrace at this hour, since the days were growing shorter and Elsli must not be out after sundown.
The children were chatting gayly, on various subjects, when Mrs.
Stanhope, who had been reading, laid down her book, and said:-- "Come and sit by me, Fani; let us have a little talk together.

That unfortunate expedition of yours on the river, and what you said when you told me about it, seemed to show that your heart was fully set on becoming an artist.

Is it so still?
or was it only a passing fancy?
Are you sure that you have thought long enough about it to be certain of yourself ?" Fani grew crimson.

He hesitated an instant, and then said:-- "Yes; I have thought about it and wished for it a long, long time; and the more I draw, the more I care for it.