"Of course--if you were to die we should be too heart-broken to care what you left--but, since we are on the subject, I've always meant to ask you to leave me the shawl of old rose-point which belonged to mother." "Rosa, how can you ?" remonstrated Mrs.Bleeker, "I am sure I hope Angela will outlive me many years, but if she doesn't I want everything she has to go to Laura." "Well, I'm sure I don't see how Laura could very well wear a rose-point shawl," persisted Mrs.Payne.

"I wouldn't have started the subject for anything on earth, Angela, but, since you've spoken of it, I only mention what is in my mind.

And now don't say a word, Sophy, for we'll go back to other matters.

In poor Angela's mental state any little excitement may bring on a relapse." "A relapse of what ?" bluntly enquired honest Mrs.Bleeker.
Mrs.Payne turned upon her a glance of indignant calm.
"Why a relapse of--of her trouble," she responded.

"You show a strange lack of consideration for her condition, but for my part I am perfectly assured that it needs only some violent shock, such as may result from a severe fall or the unexpected sight of a man, to produce a serious crisis." Mrs.Bleeker shook her head with the stubborn common sense which was the reactionary result of her romantic escapade.
"A fall might hurt anybody," she rejoined, "but I'm sure I don't see why the mere sight of a man should.