'Be gentle to her,' she said; 'poor thing, she's as frail as an eggshell.

Wait till she is well, master, and then--I pray God may bring some light out of this darkness.' "I only nodded, and went gently into the sickroom.

Agnes was lying propped up by pillows, her face almost as white as they.

Her eyes were closed, as she had not heard my careful footsteps.

I looked at her intently, while all sorts of thoughts and longings passed through my mind.