ht not the term in some way be shortened? I was very sure I heard
her stirring just now, and my heart was in my mouth." After which a
pause.

"I knew you were mistaken, but I examined to satisfy your mind. No, she
still lies in a lethargy, and will lie in that comatose condition until
after noon. Then Dr. Pemberton will be here, and she will revive."

"That seizure was very dreadful, but I saw no foam on her lips like most
epileptics, and I watched narrowly."

"There are modifications of the disease, Claude; hers is of a passive
kind, with very few or no convulsive struggles--more like syncope. Had
you not better retire now?"

"Still, it _is_ epilepsy? No, do not banish me yet."

"That is what the doctors call it, I believe, Claude. Dr. Pemberton is
too guarded or politic, one or the other--all Quakers are, you know--to
give it a name, however. Dr. Physick told papa what it was very plainly,
years ago."

"Ah I he was good authority, certainly a great physician and a
philosopher as well; but, Evelyn, it is very awful," with a groan, and
perhaps a shudder. "Very hard to get over or to bear."

"Yes, and the worst of it is it will increase with age, and the end is
so deplorable--idiocy or madness, you know, invariably. Early death is
desirable for Miriam. Her best friends should not wish to see her life
prolonged. It is an inheritance, probably. Her mother died of some
inscrutable incurable disease, I suppose like this."

"O God! O God! it is almost more than I can stand."

I heard him pacing the room slowly up and down, and my impulse was to
part the curtains, to call him to me and comfort him, but I could not;
I was too weak even to speak as yet, and bound as with a spell, a
nightmare.

A whirl of vivid joy passed through me like an electric flash, however,
as I recognized in his disquietude the strength of his affection.
Evelyn's malignant cruelty and falsehood were lost sight of in the bliss
of this conviction; yet my triumph was but brief.

"Evelyn," he said, speaking low, and pausing in his slow, continued
pace.--"Evelyn, just as she lies there sleeping, I would she could lie
forever! Then happiness could dawn for us again."

"Never, Claude Bainrothe!"

"You are unforgiving, my Evelyn! you have no mercy on me nor my
sufferings. You make no allowance for necessity, or the desperation of
my condition. In debt myself, and so long a cause of expense and anxiety
to my father, whose sacrifices for me have be