before you can comprehend that. Your father knew, but no one
else. What a martyrdom of silent agony she has passed through!
She has a clear calculation, based upon the opinion of the
medical men, as to how long she might have lived had her mind
been kept calm and happy. How far that has not been the case
we all know too well.

"If your marriage with Julia had taken place, you would now
have been on your way home, not to be parted from her again
till the final separation. We all ask you to return to
Guernsey, and devote a few more weeks to one who has loved you
so passionately and fondly. Even Julia asks it. Her resentment
gives way before this terrible sorrow. We have not told your
mother what we are about to do, lest any thing should prevent
your return. She is as patient and gentle as a lamb, and is
ready with a quiet smile for every one. O Martin, what a loss
she will be to us all! My heart is bleeding for you.

"Do not come before you have answered this letter, that we
may prepare her for your return. Write by the next boat, and
come by the one after. Julia will have to move down to the new
house, and that will be excitement enough for one day.

"Good-by, my dearest Martin. I have forgiven every thing; so
will all our friends as soon as they know this dreadful
secret.

"Your faithful, loving cousin, JOHANNA CAREY."

I read this letter twice, with a singing in my ears and a whirling of my
brain, before I could realize the meaning. Then I refused to believe it.
No one knows better than a doctor how the most skilful head among us may
be at fault.

My mother dying of an incurable disease! Impossible! I would go over at
once and save her. She ought to have told me first. Who could have
attended her so skilfully and devotedly as her only son?

Yet the numbing, deadly chill of dread rested upon my heart. I felt
keenly how slight my power was, as I had done once before when I thought
Olivia would die. But then I had no resources, no appliances. Now I
would take home with me every remedy the experience and researches of
man had discovered.

CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FOURTH.

OVERMATCHED.

My mother had consulted Dr. Senior himself when she had been in London.
He did not positively cut off all hope from me, though I knew well he
was giving me encouragement in spite of his own carefully-formed
opini