Jasper arose and followed her up-stairs.

There were some strange misgivings in his heart--some vague, troubled anticipations, that oppressed his feelings.

But he had little time for thought ere he was ushered into the chamber of his friend's widow.
A single glance sufficed to tell him the whole sad truth of the case.
There was no room for mistake.

The bright, glazed eyes, the rigid, colourless lips, the ashen countenance, all testified that the hour of her departure drew nigh.

How strong, we had almost said, how beautiful, was the contrasted form and features of her lovely child, whose face, so full of life and rosy health, pressed the same pillow that supported her weary head.
Feebly the dying woman extended her hand, as Mr.Jasper came in, saying, as she did so-- "I am glad you have come; I was about sending for you." A slight tremor of the lips accompanied her words, and it was plain that the presence of Jasper, whose relation to her and her child she understood, caused a wave of emotion to sweep over her heart.
"I am sorry, Mrs.Elder, to find you so very ill," said Jasper, with as much of sympathy in his voice as he could command.