love surrounded him at last.

"There is certainly a possibility that the stupor may pass off for a
time," the doctor said, "but, my dear madam, for your sake I cannot
wish it. You must be content to know that there is no pain or distress
attending this state, and that it is by far the best for you and for
him."

He went up to the bed and gently touched Christian's hand. It was quite
powerless and chilly, but at the touch he opened his eyes, and seemed
dimly to recognize his visitor. One or two questions were asked, and
answered as if in a dream; then the weary eyes closed again, and all
around seemed forgotten.

The doctor gave some slight directions and then left; but to Mrs.
Bellairs he said,

"It is nearly over. Mrs. Costello will stay to-night, but probably
before morning you will be able to get her away."

They went out together; but an hour later Mrs. Bellairs came back to
wait, lest in the night the two who watched upstairs might want a friend
at hand. The jailer's wife sent her husband to bed, and making a bright
fire, sat up with her guest as they had previously agreed.

Night wore on, however, and all remained still and undisturbed. About
midnight Christian's doze deepened into a sound sleep, and Lucia too,
sitting in the warmth of the store, slept in spite of herself. For
nearly an hour the room was so still that Mrs. Costello could count
every tick of her watch, and every change in the flickering sound of the
wood fire. _She_ had no inclination to sleep.

For this one hour she felt herself a wife like other wives--a wife and
mother,--watching her husband and her child. It was still a mystery to
her how this could be, but the feeling had its own exquisite sweetness,
how dearly soever that sweetness was bought; and she drank it in
greedily. Now and then she rose softly to assure herself that all was
well, and each time the even breath and calm face spoke of rest that
might have been life-giving, if there had yet been in the worn-out frame
the faintest power of revival.

But between one and two o'clock Christian awoke. He did not move, but
his wife, looking at him, saw his eyes open, and an indescribable
difference in his aspect which made her heart leap, for she knew that
his mind had awakened also, for that one last recognition that she had
so longed for. She said nothing, however, but brought a few spoonfuls of
wine and gave to him. He took them, watching her silently all the while,
but not seeming