He asked Cousin Janet her opinion.
She recalled all that had passed previous to Alice's illness.

As she looked into Mr.Weston's grieved and honest face, the question suggested itself,--Is it right thus, to keep him in ignorance?
She only wavered a moment.

Already the traces of agitation caused by his niece's illness, were visible in his flushed face and nervous frame; what then might be the result of laying before him a subject in which his happiness was so nearly concerned?
Besides, she felt convinced that even should Alice improve, the suffering which had been one cause of her sickness, might be renewed with double force if suggested by Arthur's presence.
"I know, my dear cousin," she said, "it will be a terrible grief to Arthur, should Alice be taken from us, yet I think you had better not write.

Dr.
Lawton says, that a very short time must decide her case; and were the worst we fear to occur, Arthur could not reach here in time to see her with any satisfaction.

If he lose her, it will probably be better for him to remember her in health and beauty." Mr.Weston trembled, and burst into tears.