CHAPTER VI.
"Then come the wild weather—come sleet or come snow,
We will stand by each other, however it blow;
Oppression and sickness, and sorrow and pain,
Shall be to our true love as links to the chain."
—Longfellow. (From the German.)
"Courage, sister dear!" whispered Edward Travilla, putting an arm tenderly about Elsie's waist as they found themselves at the very door of Lester Leland's studio.
Her face had grown very pale and she was trembling with agitation.
Still supporting her with his arm, Edward rapped gently upon the door, and at the same instant it was opened from within by the attending physician, who had just concluded his morning call upon his patient.
He was an Italian of gentlemanly appearance and intelligent countenance.
"Some friends of Signor Leland: from America?" he said in good English and with a polite bow.
"Yes. How is he?" Edward asked, stepping in and drawing his sister on with him.
"Sick, signor, very sick, but he will grow better now. I shall expect to see him up in a few weeks," the doctor answered with a significant glance and smile as he turned, with a second and still lower bow, to the sweet, fair maiden.