But she did not seem to hear the voice.
"Ella, dear! how do you feel this morning ?" repeated Mrs.Gaston in louder and more earnest tones.
But the child heeded her not.

She was already past consciousness! At an early hour Doctor R--came in.

The moment he looked at his patient his countenance fell.

Still, he proceeded to examine her carefully.
But every symptom was alarming, and indicated a speedy fatal termination, this was especially the case with the upper part of the throat, which was black.

Nothing deeper could be seen, as the tonsils were so swollen as to threaten suffocation.
"Is there any hope, doctor ?" asked Mrs.Gaston, eagerly, laying her hand upon his arm as he turned from the bed.
"There is always hope where there is life, madam," he replied, abstractedly; and then in a thoughtful mood took two or three turns across the narrow apartment.
"I will come again in an hour," he at length said, "and see if there is any change.