from me, Emmy. Why _does_ he stay away so long? It seems years
since he came to see you. It's wrong of him. There's no business ought
to keep him away all this time. Look at me, and tell me what she said.'

'Only that he hadn't time. Dear, you mustn't excite yourself so. Isn't
it all right, Jane, as long as I don't mind it?'

'Why do you look away from me? No, it isn't all right. Oh, I can't rest,
I can't lie here! Why haven't I strength to go and say to him what I
want to say? I thought it was him when the knock came. When Kate told
me it wasn't, I felt as if my heart was sinking down; and I don't seem
to have no tears left to cry. It 'ud ease me a little if I could. And
now _you're_ beginning to have secrets. Emmy!'

It was a cry of anguish. The mention of tears had brought them to Emma's
eyes, for they lurked very near the surface, and Jane had seen the
firelight touch on a moist cheek. For an instant she raised herself
from the pillows. Emma folded soft arms about her and pressed her cheek
against the heat which consumed her sister's.

'Emmy, I must know,' wailed the sick girl. 'Is it what I've been afraid
of? No, not that! Is it the worst of all? You must tell me now. You
don't love me if you keep away the truth. I can't have anything between
you and me.'

A dry sob choked her; she gasped for breath. Emma, fearful lest the very
life was escaping from her embrace, drew away and looked in anguish.
Her involuntary tears had ceased, but she could no longer practise
deception. The cost to Jane was greater perhaps than if she knew the
truth. At least their souls must be united ere it was too late.

'The truth, Emmy!'

'I will tell it you, darling,' she replied, with quiet sadness. 'It's
for him that I'm sorry. I never thought anything could tempt him to
break his word. Think of it in the same way as I do, dear-sister; don't
be sorry for me, but for him.'

'He's never coming? He won't marry you?'

'He's already married, Jane. Alice came to tell me.'

Again she would have raised herself, but this time there was no
strength. Not even her arms could she lift from the coverlets. But Emma
saw the vain effort, raised the thin arms, put them about her neck, and
held her sister to her heart as if for eternity.

'Darling, darling, it isn't hard to bear. I care for nothing but your
love. Live for my sake, dearest dear; I have forgotten every one and
everything but you. It's so much better. I couldn't have changed my
l