heartily repent of his independent measure. At all times she was
talking--nothing but the being left with a very stolid maid-servant
ever closed her lips, and she so greatly resented being thus treated,
that the measure was seldom possible. Henry seldom left her. He was
convinced that Leonard's sentence would be hers likewise, and he
watched over her with the utmost tenderness and patience with her
fretfulness and waywardness, never quitting her except on their
brother's behalf, when Ethel or Mary would take his place. Little
Minna was always to be found on her small chair by the bed-side, or
moving about like a mouse, sometimes whispering her one note, 'They
can't hurt him, if he has not done it,' and still quietly working at
the pair of slippers that had been begun for his birthday present.
Mary used to bring Ella, and take them out walking in the least-
frequented path; but though the little sisters kissed eagerly, and
went fondly hand in hand, they never were sorry to part: Ella's
spirits oppressed Minna, and Minna's depression vexed the more
volatile sister; moreover, Minna always dreaded Mary's desire to
carry her away--as, poor child, she looked paler, and her eyes
heavier and darker, every day.

No one else, except, of course, Dr. May, was admitted. Henry would
not let his sister see Mr. Scudamour or Mr. Wilmot, lest she should
be excited; and Averil's 'No one' was vehement as a defence against
Mrs. Pugh or Mrs. Ledwich, whom she suspected of wanting to see her,
though she never heard of more than their daily inquiries.

Mrs. Pugh was, in spite of her exclusion, the great authority with
the neighbourhood for all the tidings of 'the poor Wards,' of whom
she talked with the warmest commiseration, relating every touching
detail of their previous and present history, and continually