any
directions.'

'How dreadfully ill he must be! And alone! What shall we do? You won't
think of leaving me behind you, whatever you do?' exclaimed Amabel,
imploringly.

'It is at no great distance, and--'

'O, don't say that. Only take me with you. I will try to bear it, if you
don't think it right; but it will be very hard.'

Her eyes were full of tears, but she struggled to repress them, and was
silent in suspense as she saw him considering.

'My poor Amy!' said he, presently; 'I believe the anxiety would be worse
for you if I were to leave you here.'

'Oh, thank you!' exclaimed she.

'You will have nothing to do with the nursing. No, I don't think there
is much risk; so we will go together.'

'Thank you! thank you! and perhaps I may be of some use. But is it very
infectious?'

'I hope not: caught at Colico, and imported to a fresh place. I should
think there was little fear of its spreading. However, we must soon
be off: I am afraid he is very ill, and almost deserted. In the first
place, I had better send an express to the Consul at Venice, to ask him
to recommend us a doctor, for I have not much faith in this Italian.'

They were soon on the way to Recoara, a road bordered on one side by
high rocks, on the other by a little river flowing down a valley, shut
in by mountains. The valley gradually contracted in the ascent, till
it became a ravine, and further on a mere crevice marked by the thick
growth of the chestnut-trees; but before this greater narrowing, they
saw the roofs of the houses in the little town. The sun shone clear, the
air had grown fresh as they mounted higher; Amabel could hardly imagine
sickness and sorrow in so fair a spot, and turned to her husband to say
so, but he was deep in thought, and she would not disturb him.

The town was built on the bank of the stream, and very much shut in by
the steep crags, which seemed almost to overhang the inn, to which they
drove, auguring favourably of the place from its fresh, clean aspect.

Guy hastened to the patient; while Amabel was conducted to a room with
a polished floor, and very little furniture, and there waited anxiously
until he returned. There was a flush on his face, and almost before he
spoke, he leant far out of the window to try to catch a breath of air.

'We must find another room for him directly,' said he. 'He cannot
possibly exist where he is--a little den--such an atmosphere of
fever--enough to knock one down! Will you