e removed
at all, to that hospital he would go. Many advantages, and no objections
of importance, were presented by this course of proceeding. We conveyed
him to the hospital without a moment's loss of time.

"When I think of the dreadful illness that followed, and when I recall
the days of unrelieved suspense passed at the bedside, I have not
courage enough to dwell on this part of my story. Besides, you know
already that Beaucourt recovered--or, as I might more correctly describe
it, that he was snatched back to life when the grasp of death was on
him. Of this happier period of his illness I have something to say which
may surprise and interest you.

"On one of the earlier days of his convalescence my visit to him was
paid later than usual. A matter of importance, neglected while he was
in danger, had obliged me to leave town for a few days, after there was
nothing to be feared. Returning, I had missed the train which would have
brought me to London in better time.

"My appearance evidently produced in Beaucourt a keen feeling of
relief. He requested the day nurse, waiting in the room, to leave us by
ourselves.

"'I was afraid you might not have come to me to-day,' he said. 'My last
moments would have been imbittered, my friend, by your absence.'

"'Are you anticipating your death,' I asked, 'at the very time when the
doctors answer for your life?'

"'The doctors have not seen her,' he said; 'I saw her last night.'

"'Of whom are you speaking?'

"'Of my lost angel, who perished miserably in New Zealand. Twice her
spirit has appeared to me. I shall see her for the third time, tonight;
I shall follow her to the better world.'

"Had the delirium of the worst time of the fever taken possession of him
again? In unutterable dread of a relapse, I took his hand. The skin was
cool. I laid my fingers on his pulse. It was beating calmly.

"'You think I am wandering in my mind,' he broke out. 'Stay here
tonight--I command you, stay!--and see her as I have seen her.'

"I quieted him by promising to do what he had asked of me. He had still
one more condition to insist on.

"'I won't be laughed at,' he said. 'Promise that you will not repeat to
any living creature what I have just told you.'

"My promise satisfied him. He wearily closed his eyes. In a few minutes
more his poor weak body was in peaceful repose.

"The day-nurse returned, and remained with us later than usual. Twilight
melted into darkness. The room wa