On reaching it, the astonishment of my fellow-servants to see me, and their joy also, was intense; and when they heard that their little mistress was safe, two or three were about to hurry up and shout the news at Mr.Edgar's door: but I bespoke the announcement of it myself.

How changed I found him, even in those few days! He lay an image of sadness and resignation awaiting his death.

Very young he looked: though his actual age was thirty-nine, one would have called him ten years younger, at least.

He thought of Catherine; for he murmured her name.

I touched his hand, and spoke.
'Catherine is coming, dear master!' I whispered; 'she is alive and well; and will be here, I hope, to-night.' I trembled at the first effects of this intelligence: he half rose up, looked eagerly round the apartment, and then sank back in a swoon.