CHAPTER II.
"COME, Fanny," said Mr.Wilmer Voss, speaking to his wife, "you must get to bed.

It is past twelve o'clock, and you cannot bear this loss of rest and sleep.

It may throw you all back again." The woman addressed was sitting in a large easychair with a shawl drawn closely about her person.

She had the pale, shrunken face and large, bright eyes of a confirmed invalid.

Once very beautiful, she yet retained a sweetness of expression which gave a tenderness and charm to every wasted feature.