"Why, Edina?"
"It is not in my way, you know, papa. And I have had the trouble of altering a dress.
"Mrs. St. Clare was good enough to press your going, Edina—she candidly told me she wanted more ladies—and I did not like to refuse. She wanted me to go," added Dr. Raynor, with a broad smile.
"I'm sure, papa, you would be as much of an ornament at a ball as I shall be—and would be far more welcome to Mrs. St. Clare," said Edina.
"Ornament? Oh, I leave that to Frank."
"I dare say you could dance, even now, as well as I can, papa."
Something like a flash of pain crossed his face. He dance now! Edina little thought how near—if matters with regard to himself were as he suspected—how very near he was to the end of all things.
"You looked tired, papa," she said.
"I am tired, child. That horse of mine does not seem to carry me as easily as he did. Or perhaps it is I who feel his action more. What do you say, Frank?"
"About the horse, uncle? I think he is just as easy to ride as he always was."