st.

Very much surprised was Philip to see her instead, of her husband, and
greatly concerned to hear that Guy was not well.

'Over-fatigue,' said he. 'He could not but feel the effects of such
long-continued exertion.' Then, after an interval, during which he had
begun breakfast, with many apologies for letting her wait on him, he
said, with some breaks, 'Never was there such a nurse as he, Amy; I have
felt much more than I can express, especially now. You will never have
to complain of my harsh judgment again!'

'It is too much for you to talk of these things,' said Amabel, moved
by the trembling of his feeble voice, but too anxious to return to
her husband to like to wait even to hear that Philip's opinion _had_
altered. It required much self-command not to hurry, even by manner,
her cousin's tardy, languid movements; but she had been well trained by
Charles in waiting on sick breakfasts.

When at length she was able to escape, she found that Guy had undressed,
and gone to bed again. He said he was more comfortable, and desired
her to go and take her own breakfast before coming back to him, and she
obeyed as well as she could, but very soon was again with him. He
looked flushed and oppressed, and when she put her cool hand across his
forehead, she was frightened at the increased throbbing of his temples.

'Amy,' said he, looking steadily at her, 'this is the fever.'

Without answering, she drew his hand into hers, and felt his pulse,
which did indeed plainly respond fever. Each knew that the other was
recollecting what he had said, on Sunday, of the doctor's prediction,
and Amy knew he was thinking of death; but all that passed was a
proposal to send at once for the French physician. Amabel wrote her note
with steadiness, derived from the very force of the shock. She could
not think; she did not know whether she feared or hoped. To act from
one moment to another was all she attempted, and it was well that her
imagination did not open to be appalled at her own situation--so young,
alone with the charge of two sick men in a foreign country; her cousin,
indeed, recovering, but helpless, and not even in a state to afford her
counsel; her husband sickening for this frightful fever, and with
more than ordinary cause for apprehension, even without the doctor's
prophecy, when she thought of his slight frame, and excitable
temperament, and that though never as yet tried by a day's illness, he
certainly had more spirit t