She fell ill, and her employers, after doing what could be done for her in the way of medical attendance, made up their minds to give her a change of climate.

Now, you know, as she had originally gone to them with a letter from me, and as I live out here, on the borders of the Southern desert, in a climate that has no equal, they naturally thought of writing to me about it.

And of course I said I'd be delighted to have her here, for a month, or a year, or whatever time it may be.

She will be a pleasure to me, and a friend for Miriam, and she may find a husband somewhere up or down the coast, who will give her a fortune, and think all the better of her because she, like him, had the ability and the pluck to make her own way in the world." "Humph! When do you expect her ?" "She may turn up any day.

She is coming round by way of the Isthmus.
From what I hear, she is really a very fine, clever girl.