y, watching, with deep interest, her slow
convalescence. It was plain, as her mind began to recover its faculties,
that the memory of a sad event had faded; and I was anxious for the
effect, when this painful remembrance was restored.

One day I found her sitting up in her room. She smiled feebly as I came
in, and said:

"Doctor, am I never going to get well? It seems like an age since I
became sick."

"You are getting on finely," I answered, in a cheerful way, sitting down
by her and taking her hand, which was wasted and shadowy.

"I don't know about that, Doctor," she said.

"What makes me so weak? I've no more strength than a babe. And that
reminds me of a frightful dream I had." And her countenance changed.

"A dream?" I queried.

"Yes; I thought Aggy and Lu were both dead! I saw them laid out, cold
and white as statues, just as plainly as I see you now."

She stopped suddenly, an expression of fear going over her face--then
looked at me in a strange, questioning way.

"Doctor"--she leaned towards me, with lips apart, and eyes full of a
sudden, wild alarm. I laid my hand upon her, and said:

"You have been very ill for some time, Mrs. Dewey, and are too weak to
bear excitement. Don't let mere dreams disturb you."

"Dreams?" Her eyes fell from mine. "Dreams?" she repeated. "I feel very
weak, Doctor," was added, after a few moments. "Won't you assist me to
lie down?"

And she made a movement to rise. I took her arm and supported her to the
bed, where she quietly composed herself, and turned her face away, so as
almost to hide it from my view. At this moment Mrs. Floyd came in, and I
withdrew, leaving them together.

Memory had been restored. The accompanying shock was severe, but not
heavy enough seriously to retard her recovery, which went on slowly. She
still remained at the Allen House, rarely meeting her husband, who now
spent a large part of his time in New York.

The period fixed for a trial of the case between them was fast
approaching. He continued resolute, and she did not waver from her
purpose to defend her good name. The deep interest I took in the case,
led me to see Mr. Wallingford often, and make inquiry as to the evidence
which could be produced in Mrs. Dewey's favor, and the probable chances
of an honorable result. We both favored a settlement of the difficulty
without a trial and its consequent exposure, if that were possible.
But how to prevent this was the difficult question. Final