he had proposed to
do, as well as of everything about her. Gradually, however, his state
of feeling cleared away--by and by the purity and Christian principle
that were involved in her conduct, came to her relief.

"What," she asked herself, "if they should die without assistance? In
God's name, and with his strength to aid me, I will run all risks, and
fulfil the task I have taken upon me to do. May he support and protect
me through it."

Thus resolved, and thus fortified, she entered the gloomy scene of
sickness and contagion.

There were but four persons within: that is to say, her lover, his
sister Nancy, Mary the invalid, and Sarah M'Gowan. Nancy and her brother
were now awake, and poor Mary occupied her father's arm-chair, in which
she sat with her head reclined upon the back of it, somewhat, indeed,
after his own fashion--and Sarah opposite young Con's bed, having her
eyes fixed, with a mournful expression, on his pale and almost deathlike
countenance. Mave's appearance occasioned the whole party to feel
much surprise--and Mary rose from her arm-chair, and greeting her
affectionately, said--

"I cannot welcome you, dear Mave, to sick a place as this--and indeed I
am sorry you came to see us--for I needn't tell you what I'd feel--what
we'd all feel," and here she looked quickly, but with the slightest
possible significance at her brother, "if anything happened you in
consequence; which may God forbid! How are you all at home?"

"We are all free from sickness, thank God," said Mave, whom the presence
of Sarah caused to blush deeply; "but how are you all here? I am sorry
to find that poor Nancy is ill--and that Con has got a relapse."

She turned her eyes upon him as she spoke, and, on contemplating his
languid and sickly countenance, she could only, by a great effort,
repress her tears.

"Do not come near us, dear Mave," said Dalton, "and, indeed, it was
wrong to come here at all."

"God bless you, an' guard you, Mave," said Nancy, "an' we feel your
goodness; but as Con says, it was wrong to put yourself in the way
of danger. For God's sake, and as you hope to escape this terrible
sickness, lave the house at wanst. We're sensible of your kindness--but
lave us--lave us--for every minute you stop, may be death to you."

Sarah, who had never yet spoken to Mave, turned her black mellow eyes
from her to her lover, and from him to her alternately. She then dropped
them for a time on the ground, and again looke