each sister evinced for the other's welfare. If the depletion had cured a bad cold, or averted a slight fever, and the patient came down declaring she was well, yet looking very ill, and an officious caller recommended "beef-tea, calves' foot jellies, or a glass of old port," Lady Anne, who well knew the value of such nutriments, seeing she constantly used them, would observe in reply, "at her time of life there is an innate power of resuscitation, which operates better without such stimulants, in my opinion;" nevertheless, she would after a time tell the delinquent (for the invalid was always considered criminal) to put on her things, and go to the Palmers for a couple of hours; "'tis but a step, and change of scene may do you good, and make you less an object. I hate to see pale faces always before my eyes, and fair people, when colourless, are either ghastly, or sallow: indeed, they are often both. Isabella, poor brown creature, as she is, stands a bad cold better than any of you."
We need not say how these fair sinners were received and relieved by Mrs. Palmer, who had established her character from the beginning of their acquaintance, for being a skilful nurse, and at the present time happy would Lady Anne have been, could she have secured the advice and care of the invaluable neighbour, whom she would probably have looked upon with contumely two days before. But the case was pressing, and the nearest medical practitioner was sent for. On examining the throat, he expressed his
