he looked up and pushed back his spectacles.

"What can I do for you?"

"A little thing, which will cost you no trouble, but will greatly
oblige me. Doctor, I have found you a kind and sympathizing gentleman,
and am grateful for the delicate consideration with which you have
treated me. Mr. Carlyle is beyond danger, and I shall leave him in
your care. When he is sufficiently strong to be removed, I desire that
you will give him this letter, which contains a check payable to his
order. There, examine it, and be so good as to write me a receipt."

Silently he complied, and when she had re-enclosed the check and
sealed the envelope she placed it in his hand.

"Dr. Clingman, is there any other place to which small-pox cases can
be carried? To-day I have discovered some symptoms of the disease in
my own system, and I feel assured I shall be ill before this time
to-morrow."

"My dear madam, why not remain here?"

"Because I do not wish to be discovered by Mr. Carlyle, and forced to
meet him again. I prefer to suffer, and, if need be, die, alone and
unknown."

"If you will trust yourself to me, and to a faithful female nurse whom
I can secure, I promise you, upon my honor as a gentleman, that I will
allow no one else to see you, living or dead. My dear madam, I beg you
to reconsider, and remain where I can watch over, and perhaps preserve
your life. I dreaded this. You are feverish now."

Wearily she swept her hand across her forehead, and a dreary smile
flitted over her wan features.

"My life is a worthless, melancholy thing, useless to others, and a
crushing burden to me; and I might as well lay it down here as
elsewhere. I accept your promise, Dr. Clingman, and hope you will
obtain a room in the quiet and secluded portion of the building. If I
should be so fortunate as to die, do not forget the memorandum in this
purse. I leave my body in your care, my soul in the hands of Him who
alone can give it rest."

"The burden of my days is hard to bear,
But God knows best;
And I have prayed,--but vain has been my prayer,--
For rest--for rest."

CHAPTER XXXII.

"Miss Dexter, have you succeeded in seeing Mrs. Gerome since her
return?"

"No, sir; she obstinately refuses to admit me, though I have called
twice at the house. Yesterday I received a letter in answer to several
that I have addressed to her, all of which she returned unopened.
Since you have already learned so much of our melancholy h