The very attitude in which they stood, in which they had been used to have their most confidential chats, had lately been disused; and to resume it, and with it the old position of adviser and consoler, was compensation for much that he had suffered.

He felt that Lucia was looking anxiously up at him--that she had for the moment quite forgotten all except her mother and himself.
"The weather has been so hot," he said, searching for something to hide his thoughts, "it is not wonderful for any one to be weakened by it.

No doubt, that was the reason of Mrs.Costello's illness." Lucia remembered the letter and was silent.

Then she said, "Have you really thought her looking ill lately ?" "'Ill' is perhaps too strong a word.

Besides, she has always said she was well." "Yes.