A few days after I heard from Miss Brabazon that Miss Ashleigh was seriously ill, kept her room.

Mrs.Ashleigh made this excuse for not immediately returning the visits which the Hill had showered upon her.

Miss Brabazon had seen Dr.Jones, who had shaken his head, said it was a serious case; but that time and care (his time and his care!) might effect wonders.
How stealthily at the dead of the night I would climb the Hill and look towards the windows of the old sombre house,--one window, in which a light burned dim and mournful, the light of a sick-room,--of hers! At length Mrs.Poyntz came back, and I entered her house, having fully resolved beforehand on the line of policy to be adopted towards the potentate whom I hoped to secure as an ally.

It was clear that neither disguise nor half-confidence would baffle the penetration of so keen an intellect, nor propitiate the good will of so imperious and resolute a temper.

Perfect frankness here was the wisest prudence; and after all, it was most agreeable to my own nature, and most worthy of my own honour.
Luckily, I found Mrs.Poyntz alone, and taking in both mine the hand she somewhat coldly extended to me, I said, with the earnestness of suppressed emotion,-- "You observed when I last saw you, that I had not yet asked you to be my friend.