much. It recalled his perfect health and vigour, his light
activity, and enjoyment of life, and something came on her of the
sensation we feel for an insect, one moment full of joyous vitality, the
next, crushed and still. She had hitherto thought of his feverish thirst
and fainting weariness being at rest, and felt the relief, or else
followed his spirit to its repose, and rejoiced; but now the whole
scene brought back what he once was; his youthful, agile frame, his eyes
dancing in light, his bounding step, his gay whistle, the strong hand
that had upheld her on the precipice, the sure foot that had carried
aid to the drowning sailors, the arm that was to have been her stay for
life, all came on her in contrast with--death! The thought swept over
her, carrying away every other, and she burst into tears.

The tears would have their course; she could not restrain them when once
they began, and her struggles to check them only brought an increase of
them. Her sobs grew so violent that Laura, much alarmed, made a sign
to Charlotte to fetch her mother; and Mrs. Edmonstone, coming in haste,
found it was indeed the beginning of a frightful hysterical attack.
The bodily frame had been overwrought to obey the mental firmness and
composure, and now nature asserted her rights; the hysterics returned
again and again, and when it seemed as if exhaustion had at length
produced quiet, the opening of a door, or a sound in the distance, would
renew all again.

It was not till night had closed in that Mrs. Edmonstone was at all
satisfied about her, and had at length the comfort of seeing her
fall into a sound deep sleep; such an unbroken dreamless sleep as had
scarcely visited her since she first went to Recoara. Even this sleep
did not restore her; she became very unwell, and both Dr. Mayerne and
her mother insisted on her avoiding the least exertion or agitation. She
was quite submissive, only begging earnestly to be allowed to see
Mr. Ross, saying she knew it would do her good rather than harm, and
promising to let him leave her the instant she found it too much for
her; and though Mrs. Edmonstone was reluctant and afraid, they agreed
that as she was so reasonable and docile, she ought to be allowed to
judge for herself.

She begged that he might come after church on All Saints' day. He came,
and after his first greeting of peace, Mrs. Edmonstone signed to him to
read at once, instead of speaking to her. The beautiful lesson for