or old Jovial, who was anxious to be of service, waiting only to be
called upon, and glad to be set to work, sprung up eagerly to obey this
mandate.

Thanks to the huge logs of wood used in Hannah's wide chimney, the
neglected fire still burned hotly, and Jovial soon had it in a roaring
blaze around the suspended kettle.

"And now, Hannah, you had better get out her dry clothes and a thick
blanket, and hang 'em before the fire to warm. And give me some of that
wine and some allspice to heat," continued Mrs. Jones.

The sister obeyed, with as much docility as the slave had done, and by
their united efforts the patient was soon dressed in warm dry clothes,
wrapped in a hot, thick blanket, and tucked up comfortably in bed. But
though her form was now limber, and her pulse perceptible, she had not
yet spoken or opened her eyes. It was a half an hour later, while Hannah
stood bathing her temples with camphor, and Mrs. Jones sat rubbing her
hands, that Nora showed the first signs of returning consciousness, and
these seemed attended with great mental or bodily pain, it was difficult
to tell which, for the stately head was jerked back, the fair forehead
corrugated, and the beautiful lips writhen out of shape.

"Fetch me the spiced wine now, Hannah," said the nurse; and when it was
brought she administered it by teaspoonfuls. It seemed to do the patient
good, for when she had mechanically swallowed it, she sighed as with a
sense of relief, sank back upon her pillow and closed her eyes. Her face
had lost its look of agony; she seemed perfectly at ease. In a little
while she opened her eyes calmly and looked around. Hannah bent over
her, murmuring:

"Nora, darling, how do you feel? Speak to me, my pet!"

"Stoop down to me, Hannah! low, lower still, I want to whisper to you."

Hannah put her ear to Nora's lips.

"Oh, Hannah, it was all true! he was married to another woman." And as
she gasped out these words with a great sob, her face became convulsed
again with agony, and she covered it with her hands.

"Do not take this so much to heart, sweet sister. Heaven knows that you
were innocent, and the earth shall know it, too; as for him, he was a
villain and a hypocrite not worth a tear," whispered Hannah.

"Oh, no, no, no! I am sure he was not to blame. I cannot tell you why,
because I know so little; but I feel that he was faultless," murmured
Nora, as the spasm passed off, leaving her in that elysium of physical
ease wh