fell. She was dumb before all resentful words, all
passionate outbreaks, from her husband now. All she could say was:

"Oh, Eben! Eben!" Sometimes she added piteously: "I never meant to do
wrong; at least, no wrong to you. I thought if there were wrong, it
would be only to myself, and on my own head." When they parted, Dr. Eben
said:

"At what hour are you free, Hetty?"

"At six," she replied. "Will you wait for me at the house? Do not come
here."

"Very well," he answered; and, making a formal salutation as to a
stranger, he turned away.

XVI.

With a heavy heart, in midst of all her joy, Hetty went about her
duties: vague fears oppressed her. What would Eben do now? What had he
meant when he said: "You are no longer mine, even in name"?

Now that Hetty perceived that she had been wrong in leaving him; that,
instead of providing, as she had hoped she should, for his greater
happiness, she had only plunged him into inconsolable grief,--her one
desire was to atone for it; to return to him; to be to him, if possible,
more than she had ever been. But great timidity and apprehension filled
her breast. He seemed to be angry with her. Would he forgive her? Would
he take her home? Had she forfeited her right to go home? Hour after
hour, as the weary day went on, she tortured herself with these
thoughts. Wistfully her patients watched her face. It was impossible for
her to conceal her preoccupation and anxiety. At last the slow sun
sank behind the fir-trees, and brought her hour of release. Seeking Dr.
Macgowan, she told him that she would send Sister Catharine on the next
day "to take my place for the present, perhaps altogether," said Hetty.

"Good heavens! Mrs. Smailli!" exclaimed the doctor. "What is the matter?
Are you ill? You shall have a rest; but we can't give you up."

"No, I am not ill," replied Hetty, "but circumstances have occurred
which make it impossible for me to say what my plans will be now."

"What is it? Bless my soul, what shall we do?" said Dr. Macgowan,
looking very much vexed. "Really, Mrs. Smailli, you can't give up your
post in this way."

The doctor forgot himself in his dismay.

"I would not leave it, if there were no one to fill it," replied Hetty,
gently; "but Sister Catharine is a better nurse than I am. She will more
than fill my place."

"Pshaw! Mrs. Smailli," ejaculated the doctor. "She can't hold a candle
to you. Is it any thing about the salary which is taking you away