"Oh, papa, what has detained you so long?" she inquired.
In a few words, he described to her what had occurred at Miss Mansfield's, and the aid he had rendered the sufferer.
Miss Graham's sympathy was warmly excited on Ellen's behalf, and whilst rapidly questioning her father with regard to the particulars of the occurrence, she forgot for a while the sad condition of her other scholar. But presently, remembering her, she inquired anxiously, "What did you think of Mary Nelson, papa?"
Dr. Graham shook his head, and grew grave.
"She is very ill, Theresa," he replied.
"But she may recover? You do not give up hope?" asked his daughter, alarmed at his manner.
"Whilst there is life, there is always hope, my dear," was her father's reply.
Miss Graham asked no further for she knew but too well what those words meant.
[CHAPTER XI.]
IN THE HOSPITAL.