Now their mother is dead, and the people with whom Hilda stayed have adopted them.

The boy is to be a doctor, and the girl is going to get well, Dr.George says.

(_He_ calls her a beautiful and interesting creature; but you know what _that_ means.

_Any diseased_ creature is beautiful to _him_!) Well, and THESE, my dear Helen, are Hilda Graham's FRIENDS, for whom she has _deserted_ her OLD _ones_! for though she is _unchanged_ towards me when I see her, I hardly ever _do_ see her.

She cares nothing for _my_ pursuits, and I certainly have NO intention of joining in _hers_.