rate, if I have a little natural shrinking, it is quite gone when
I remember that I am in God's hands! Oh, Mr Benson," continued she,
breaking out into the irrepressible tears--"Leonard, Leonard!"

And now it was his turn to speak out the brave words of faith.

"Poor, poor mother!" said he. "Be of good heart. He, too, is in God's
hands. Think what a flash of time only will separate you from him, if
you should die in this work!"

"But he--but he--it will be long to him, Mr Benson! He will be
alone!"

"No, Ruth, he will not. God and all good men will watch over him. But
if you cannot still this agony of fear as to what will become of him,
you ought not to go. Such tremulous passion will predispose you to
take the fever."

"I will not be afraid," she replied, lifting up her face, over which
a bright light shone, as of God's radiance. "I am not afraid for
myself. I will not be so for my darling."

After a little pause, they began to arrange the manner of her going,
and to speak of the length of time that she might be absent on her
temporary duties. In talking of her return, they assumed it to be
certain, although the exact time when was to them unknown, and would
be dependent entirely on the duration of the fever; but not the less,
in their secret hearts, did they feel where alone the issue lay. Ruth
was to communicate with Leonard and Miss Faith through Mr Benson
alone, who insisted on his determination to go every evening to the
Hospital to learn the proceedings of the day, and the state of Ruth's
health.

"It is not alone on your account, my dear! There may be many sick
people of whom, if I can give no other comfort, I can take
intelligence to their friends."

All was settled with grave composure; yet still Ruth lingered, as if
nerving herself up for some effort. At length she said, with a faint
smile upon her pale face:

"I believe I am a great coward. I stand here talking because I dread
to tell Leonard."

"You must not think of it," exclaimed he. "Leave it to me. It is sure
to unnerve you."

"I must think of it. I shall have self-control enough in a minute
to do it calmly--to speak hopefully. For only think," continued she,
smiling through the tears that would gather in her eyes, "what a
comfort the remembrance of the last few words may be to the poor
fellow, if--" The words were choked, but she smiled bravely on.
"No!" said she, "that must be done; but perhaps you will spare me
one thing--will you te