Page:Traits and Trials.pdf/110

104 old oaks, which, growing on an ascent in the Park, were visible at a considerable distance. But even Julia's delight was not sufficient to counter-balance the fatigue of the journey; she raised her head from time to time to look out for familiar objects, she had not strength to sit up; a burst of gladness as they entered the avenue quite overcame her, and, when the carriage stopped, she clung with all the strength of hysterical agitation to her father, and implored him to take her at once to her nurse.

He took her in his arms, past hastily through the hall, and went direct to the nursery—Ellen was in bed, from which she sprang when she saw her sister. "I told you, I heard the carriage," and the next moment the twins were in each other's arms, and the affectionate Indian stood over them crying like a child. A loud cry from Julia, as her sister sank from her arms on the floor, was the first thing that recalled Eda to herself. She caught the child up and saw that a small stream of blood was slowly swelling from her lips, while