seconds, and added, in a whisper,--

"If she dies, I am afraid I might grow desperate, and commit what you
happy people call a crime."

He felt an unwonted moisture dim his eyes, as he watched the delicate
face, white as the hair that crowned it, and wondered if the wide,
populous world could match her regal form and perfect features.

"Mrs. Gerome, I think I can promise that Elsie will recover from her
injuries; but a prayer for her safety would bring you more comfort
than my feeble words of assurance and encouragement. The mercy of God
is surer than the combined medical skill of the universe."

"The mercy of God!" she repeated, with a gesture of scorn and
impatience. "No, no! God set his face like a flint against me, long,
long ago, and I do not mock myself by offering prayers that only call
down smitings upon me. Seven years since I prayed my last prayer,
which was for speedy death; and, from that hour, I seem to have taken
a new lease on life. Now I stand still and keep silent, and I hoped
that God had forgotten me."

She covered her face with her hands and Dr. Grey drew a chair close to
her and endeavored to make her sit down, but she resisted and shrank
from his touch on her arm.

"Madam, the wagon has stopped at the door. Will you direct your
servants, or shall I?"

"If she is not dead, tell Robert to carry her into my room. Oh, Dr.
Grey, you will not let her die!"

As she looked up imploringly into his calm, noble face, she met his
earnest gaze, brimming with compassion and sympathy, and her lips and
chin quivered.

"Trust your God, and have faith in me."

He went out to assist in removing his patient, and when they had
carried the mattress and its occupant into the room opposite the
parlor and laid it on the carpet near the window, he had the
satisfaction of observing a favorable change in Elsie's condition.
While he stood by a table preparing some medicine, Robert stole up,
and asked:

"Do you notice any improvement? She groaned twice on the road, and
once I am sure she opened her eyes."

"Yes; I think that very soon she will be able to speak, for her pulse
is gaining strength every hour."

"How did my mistress take it?"

"She was much shocked and grieved. Maclean, where are her friends and
relatives?"

There was no reply, and, glancing over his shoulder to repeat the
inquiry, Dr. Grey saw Mrs. Gerome leaning against the door.

"Robert, have you killed her?"

"Oh, no, ma'am! She is doi