She was to get up next day, and I was to carry her down stairs, and set her for a little amongst her flowers in the little drawing-room.

I wished her good-bye gaily that morning as I went off to my work, and bade her be ready for me when I returned.
"Ah! what a return that was! At mid-day a messenger rushed into the bank and called to me to come at once to my wife.

I flew to her on the wings of terror, and found her--dead!" Here the speaker paused again.

His voice had trembled at the last word, but his face was almost fierce as he turned his eyes to me.
I said nothing, but my heart bled for him.

"The hope had gone from my life.