CHAPTER XIV.
Mrs.Ashleigh received us in the dining-room.

Her manner to me, at first, was a little confused and shy.

But my companion soon communicated something of her own happy ease to her gentler friend.

After a short conversation we all three went to Lilian, who was in a little room on the ground-floor, fitted up as her study.

I was glad to perceive that my interdict of the deathchamber had been respected.
She reclined on a sofa near the window, which was, however, jealously closed; the light of the bright May-day obscured by blinds and curtains; a large fire on the hearth; the air of the room that of a hot-house,--the ignorant, senseless, exploded system of nursing into consumption those who are confined on suspicion of it! She did not heed us as we entered noiselessly; her eyes were drooped languidly on the floor, and with difficulty I suppressed the exclamation that rose to my lips on seeing her.