Oh, grant us a good hour, and take us to Thy mercy! But to the last those young days will be remembered and worth remembering; for be we what else we may, young mortals we shall never be again.
Of course Dick Devereux was now no visitor at the Elms.

All _that_ for the present was over.

Neither did he see Lilias; for little Lily was now a close prisoner with doctors, in full uniform, with shouldered canes, mounting guard at the doors.

'Twas a hard winter, and she needed care and nursing.

And Devereux chafed and fretted; and, in truth, 'twas hard to bear this spite of fortune--to be so near, and yet so far--quite out of sight and hearing.
A word or two from General Chattesworth in Doctor Walsingham's ear, as they walked to and fro before the white front of Belmont, had decided the rector on making this little call; for he had now mounted the stair of Devereux's lodging, and standing on the carpet outside, knocked, with a grave, sad face on his door panel, glancing absently through the lobby window, and whistling inaudibly the while.
The doctor was gentle and modest, and entirely kindly.