sired no companion in his
vigils; hence, after flitting about the room for a few moments, she
added:

"If you will sit here a while, I can look after my babies. Should any
change occur, tap at my door; I shall not be long away."

What a melancholy change in the sleeper, during the few days of his
absence; how much thinner the hollow cheek, how sunken the closed eyes;
how indescribably sharpened the outlines of each feature. The face
which had formerly suggested some marble statue, had now the finer
tracery as of an exquisite cameo; and oblivion of all earthly ills had
set there the seal of a perfect peace. She lay so motionless, with her
hands on her breast, that Mr. Dunbar bent his head close to hers, to
listen to her respiration; but no sound was audible, and when his ear
touched her lips, their coldness sent a shiver of horror through his
stalwart frame. Pure as the satin folds of an annunciation lily pearled
with dew, was the smooth girlish brow, where exhaustion hung heavy
drops; and about her temples the damp hair clung in glossy rings,
framing the pallid, deathlike face.

At her wrist, the fluttering thread eluded his grasp, and kneeling
beside the cot, he laid his head down on her breast, dreading to find
no pulsation; but slow and faint, he felt the tired heart beat feebly
against his cheek; and tears of joy, that reason could neither explain
nor justify, welled up and filled his eyes. Leaning his head on her
pillow, he took one hand between both his, and watched the profound
sleep that seemed indeed twin sister of death.

Softened by distance came the deep mellow sound of the city clock
striking two. Down among the willows fringing the river bank, some
lonely water-fowl uttered its plaintive cry, whereat the bloodhounds
bayed hoarsely; then velvet-sandalled silence laid her soothing touch
upon the world, and softly took all nature into her restful arms.

In the searching communion which he held with his own heart, during
that solemn watch, Mr. Dunbar thrust aside all quibbles and disguises,
and accepted as unalterable, two conclusions.

She was innocent of crime, and he loved her; but she knew who had
committed the murder, and would suffer rather than betray the criminal.
The conjecture that she was shielding a lover, was accompanied by so
keen a pang of jealous pain, that it allowed him no room to doubt the
nature or intensity of the feeling which she had inspired.

In her wan loveliness, she seemed a