When her mother placed her hand in mine, and I felt the throb of its pulse, I was aware of no quicker beat of my own heart.

I looked with a steady eye on the face more beautiful from the flush that deepened the delicate hues of the young cheek, and the lustre that brightened the dark blue of the wandering eyes.

She did not at first heed me, did not seem aware of my presence; but kept murmuring to herself words which I could not distinguish.
At length, when I spoke to her, in that low, soothing tone which we learn at the sick-bed, the expression of her face altered suddenly; she passed the hand I did not hold over her forehead, turned round, looked at me full and long, with unmistakable surprise, yet not as if the surprise displeased her,--less the surprise which recoils from the sight of a stranger than that which seems doubtfully to recognize an unexpected friend.

Yet on the surprise there seemed to creep something of apprehension, of fear; her hand trembled, her voice quivered, as she said,-- "Can it be, can it be?
Am I awake?
Mother, who is this ?" "Only a kind visitor, Dr.Fenwick, sent by Mrs.Poyntz, for I was uneasy about you, darling.

How are you now ?" "Better.