I didn't look for trouble in this quarter." To his own unpleasant reflections we will leave the merchant, and return to Edward Claire and his true-minded, loving-hearted wife.
For a week or two after the former entered upon his new duties as assistant clerk in a night-auction, he experienced no serious inconvenience from his more prolonged labours, although it did not escape the watchful eyes of his wife that his complexion was losing its freshness, and that his appetite was far from being so good as before.

After this, he began to suffer oppressive weariness, that made the evening's toil a daily increasing burden.

Then succeeded a feverish state, accompanied by pains in the head, back, and through the breast.

Edith remonstrated, even with tears; but still Claire went nightly to his task, though each successive evening found him with less and less ability for its performance.
At last, he came home from the store of Mr.Melleville, at the usual tea-time, feeling so unwell that he was forced to lie down.

He had no appetite for supper, and merely sipped part of a cup of tea brought to him by his wife as he still reclined upon the bed.
"Don't get up," said Edith, seeing her husband, after he had lain for some time, about to rise.
"I can't lie here any longer; it's nearly seven o'clock now." "You're not going out to-night!" "O yes; I must be at the store.