om which he would speedily be
awakened.

But Imogene's face, her look, her air of patient waiting, were not to be
mistaken. Attention once really attracted to her, it was not possible
for it to wander elsewhere. Even the face of the dying man and the
countenance of the watchful physician paled in interest before that
fixed look which, never wavering, never altering, studied the marble
visage before her, for the first faint signs of reawakening
consciousness. Even his sister, who, if weak of mind, was most certainly
of a loving disposition, seemed to feel the force of the tie that bound
Imogene to that pillow; and, though she hovered nearer and nearer the
beloved form as the weariful moments sped by, did not presume to
interpose her grief or her assistance between the burning eye of Imogene
and the immovable form of her stricken brother.

The hush that lay upon the room was unbroken save by the agitated
breaths of all present.

"Is there no hope?" whispered Mr. Ferris to Dr. Tredwell, as, seeing no
immediate prospect of change, they sought for seats at the other side of
the room.

"No; the wound is strangely like that which Mrs. Clemmens received. He
will rouse, probably, but he will not live. Our only comfort is that in
this case it is not a murder."

The District Attorney made a gesture in the direction of Imogene.

"How came she to be here?" he asked.

Dr. Tredwell rose and drew him from the room.

"It needs some explanation," he said; and began to relate to him how Mr.
Orcutt was escorting Miss Dare to the gate when the bough fell which
seemed likely to rob him of his life.

Mr. Ferris, through whose mind those old words of the widow were running
in a way that could only be accounted for by the memories which the
scene within had awakened--"May the vengeance of Heaven light upon the
head of him who has brought me to this pass! May the fate that has come
upon me be visited upon him, measure for measure, blow for blow, death
for death!"--turned with impressive gravity and asked if Miss Dare had
not been hurt.

But Dr. Tredwell shook his head.

"She is not even bruised," said he.

"And yet was on his arm?"

"Possibly, though I very much doubt it."

"She was standing at his side," uttered the quiet voice of Mr. Byrd in
their ear; "and disappeared when he did, under the falling branch. She
must have been bruised, though she says not. I do not think she is in a
condition to feel her injuries."

"You we