There! if you must know, it was because I did not want you to be distressed.

I thought I might get better with a little physic; and, if not, why, then I thought, 'Papa is an old man; la! I dare say I shall last his time;' and so, why should I poison your latter days with worrying about ME ?" Mr.Lusignan stared at her, and his lip quivered; but he thought the trait hardly consistent with her superficial character.

He could not help saying, half sadly, half bitterly, "Well, but of course you have told Dr.Staines." Rosa opened her beautiful eyes, like two suns.

"Of course I have done nothing of the sort.

He has enough to trouble him, without that.