He prays you not to disturb yourself on his account, but to consider yourself sole mistress of this house, whatever may befall him." Amabel passed a miserably anxious day.

A fresh interest had been awakened in her heart in behalf of the earl, and the precarious state in which she conceived him placed did not tend to diminish it.

She made many inquiries after him, and learned that he was worse, while the fearful nature of the attack could not be questioned.

On the following day Prudence reported that the distemper had made such rapid and terrible progress, that his recovery was considered almost hopeless.
"He raves continually of you, madam," said the attendant, "and I have no doubt he will expire with your name on his lips." Amabel was moved to tears by the information, and withdrawing into a corner of the room, prayed fervently for the supposed sufferer.

Prudence gazed at her earnestly and compassionately, and muttering something to herself, quitted the room.