A Proud Moment

Margot's recovery was somewhat tedious, so that it was quite three weeks
after the departure of the brothers Elgood before she was strong enough
to face the journey home. In the meantime Edith remained in charge as
nurse, while Mr Vane and Ron varied the monotony of life in the Glen by
making short excursions of two or three days' duration to places of
interest in the neighbourhood.

Notwithstanding the unchanged position of affairs, they appeared to be
on unusually good terms, a fact which would have delighted Margot if she
had been in her usual health and spirits; but she had become of late so
languid and preoccupied as to appear almost unconscious of her
surroundings. Once a day she did, indeed, rouse herself sufficiently to
show some interest in passing events, that is to say, when the post
arrived in the morning; but the revival was but momentary, and on each
occasion was followed by a still deeper depression.

The elder sister was very tender during those days of waiting; very
tactful and patient with little outbursts of temper and unreasonable
changes of mind. She knew that it was not so much physical as mental
suffering which was retarding the girl's progress, and yearned over her
with a sympathy that was almost maternal in its depth.

The little sister had proved herself such a true friend during the
trials of the last few years, that she would have gone through fire and
water to save her from pain; but there are some things which even the
most devoted relative cannot do.