Her eyelashes were still wet, and she looked flushed and feverish.
Elsie gazed at her in tender pity and some little anxiety; the face was so young and child-like, and even in sleep wore a grieved expression that touched the kind mother heart.
"Poor little orphan!" she sighed to herself, "she must feel very lonely and forlorn in her husband's absence, especially if things have gone wrong between them.

How could I ever have borne a word or look of displeasure from my husband! I hope she is not going to be ill." "Is Zoe not coming down ?" Mr.Dinsmore asked as the family gathered about the dinner-table.
"I found her sleeping, papa, and thought it best not to wake her;" Elsie answered.

"I think she does not look quite well, and that sleep will do her more good than anything else." Zoe slept most of the afternoon, woke apparently more cheerful, and ate with seeming enjoyment the delicate lunch presently brought her by Elsie's orders; but she steadily declined to join the family at tea or in the parlor.
She would much rather stay where she was for the rest of the day, she said, as she felt dull and her head still ached a little.
Every one felt concerned about, and disposed to be as kind to her as possible.

Mrs.Dinsmore, Elsie, Violet, and Rosie all came in in the course of the afternoon and evening to ask how she did, and express the hope that she would soon be quite well again, and to try to cheer her up.
They offered her companionship through the night; any one of them would willingly sleep with her; but she said she was not timid and would prefer to remain alone.
"Well, dear, I should feel a trifle easier not to have you alone," Elsie said, as she bade her good-night, "but we will not force our company upon you.

None of us lock our doors at night, and my rooms are not far away; don't hesitate to wake me, if you feel uneasy or want anything in the night." "Thank you, dear mamma," returned Zoe, putting her arms about her mother's neck; "you are so good and kind! such a dear mother to me! I will do as you say; if I feel at all timid in the night I shall run to your rooms and creep into bed with you." So they all left her, and the house grew silent and still.
It was the first night since her marriage that her husband had not been with her, and she missed him more than ever.