The letter spoke the language of love and hope; but the facts were discouraging; and, indeed, a touching sadness pierced through the veil of the brave words.
Rosa read it again and again, and cried over it before her father, to encourage him in his heartless behavior.
About ten days after this, something occurred that altered her mood.
She became grave and thoughtful, but no longer lugubrious.

She seemed desirous to atone to her father for having disturbed his cheerfulness.
She smiled affectionately on him, and often sat on a stool at his knee, and glided her hand into his.
He was not a little pleased, and said to himself, "She is coming round to common-sense." Now, on the contrary, she was farther from it than ever.
At last he got the clew.

One afternoon he met Mr.Wyman coming out of the villa.

Mr.Wyman was the consulting surgeon of that part.
"What! anybody ill ?" said Mr.Lusignan.

"One of the servants ?" "No; it is Miss Lusignan." "Why, what is the matter with her ?" Wyman hesitated.