I am sure she is very ill." "I hope it will not spread beyond the Rectory." "Oh, Val, that is our one great hope," she said, turning her earnest face to him in the moonlight.

"We are taking all possible precautions.

None of us are going beyond the grounds, except papa, and we do not receive any one here.

I don't know what papa will say to your coming." He smiled.

"But you can't keep all the world away!" "We do--very nearly.