THE DOLL AND HER FRIENDS. 89

looked just as in former times, good and eraceful ;
but she stood a little apart with the traveller friend
by her side, and I heard Rose whisper to Susan that
the wedding was to take place in a fortnight. They
were only waiting for Geoffrey to arrive. His ship
was daily expected, and they all wished him to be
present.

And Willy, for whose sake the long journey had
been made, how was he! Were all their hopes
realised? Edward shook his head when Susan’s
mother asked that question ; but Willy was there
to answer it himself. He was standing by the
window, leaning on a stick, it is true, but yet able
to stand. As he walked across the room, I saw
that he limped slightly, but could move about where
he pleased. He till looked thin and pale, but the
former expression of suffering and distress had dis-
appeared, and his countenance was as cheerful as
his manner. I could see that he was very much
better, though not in robust health like Edward’s.
He thanked Susan’s mother for her kind inquiries,
and said that, though he had not become all that
his sanguine brother hoped, he had gained health
more than enough to satisfy himself; that he was
most thankful for his present comfort and independ-
ence; and that ‘¢ he was not quite so strong as
other people, he hoped he should at any rate make