"Since he was three years, Madame."
"And do the doctors give no hope of his recovering his health?"
"He will never be better, Madame."
Mrs. Vaughn sighed. She wished her husband were with her, for Dr. Vaughn was a skilful surgeon, and had helped some people as ill as Bertrand.
When Antoine had showed the ladies all that he judged best, they went back to the little invalid, who had been wheeled into his own special sitting-room. Mrs. Vaughn sat down near his chair and talked to him, but Ellie had taken a shy turn and would not say a word. Bertrand was evidently disappointed, and at last addressed her directly.
"I liked those flowers very much, Mademoiselle," he said.
Now was the time for one of the pretty phrases which Ellie had been learning. Alas! not one could she utter! She
