poor Laura.' His voice suddenly failed;
and while Guy was again moistening his lips, he gathered strength, and
said,--'You and Amy will do what you can for her. Do not let the blow
come suddenly. Ah! you do not know. We have been engaged this long
time.'

Guy did not exclaim, but Philip saw his amazement. 'It was very wrong;
it was not her fault,' he added. 'I can't tell you now; but if I live
all shall be told. If not, you will be kind to her?'

'Indeed we will.'

'Poor Laura!' again said Philip, in a much weaker voice, and after lying
still a little longer, he faintly whispered,--'Read to me.'

Guy read till he fell into a doze, which lasted till Arnaud came in the
morning, and Guy went up to his wife.

'Amy,' said he, entering with a quiet bright look, 'he has spoken to me
according to my wish.'

'Then it is all right,' said Amabel, answering his look with one as calm
and sweet. 'Is he better?'

'Not materially; his pulse is still very high; but there was a gleam of
perfect consciousness; he spoke calmly and clearly, fully understanding
his situation. Come what will, it is a thing to be infinitely thankful
for! I am very glad! Now for our morning reading.'

As soon as it was over, and when Guy had satisfied himself that the
patient was still quiet, they sat down to breakfast. Guy considered a
little while, and said,--

'I have been very much surprised. Had you any idea of an attachment
between him and Laura?'

'I know she is very fond of him, and she has always been his favourite.
What? Has he been in love with her all this time, poor fellow?'

'He says they are engaged.'

'Laura? Our sister! Oh, Guy, impossible! He must have been wandering.'

'I could have almost thought so; but his whole manner forbade me to
think there was any delusion. He was too weak to explain; but he said it
was not her fault, and was overcome when speaking of her. He begged
us to spare her from suddenly hearing of his death. He was as calm and
reasonable as I am at this moment. No, Amy, it was not delirium.'

'I don't know how to believe it!' said Amabel. 'It is so impossible for
Laura, and for him too. Don't you know how, sometimes in fevers, people
take a delusion, and are quite rational about everything else, and that,
too; if only it was true; and don't you think it very likely, that if he
really has been in love with her all this time, (how much he must have
gone through!) he may fancy he has been secretly engaged, and