Time and trouble had left their trace, but there were the glorious eyes, and jet black hair, and the face, worn and pensive, but still beautiful.

It was the woman he had loved, the only one.
"Mrs.Little!" said he, in an indescribable tone.
"Dr.Amboyne!" For a few moments he forgot the task he had undertaken; and could only express his astonishment and pleasure at seeing her once more.
Then he remembered why he was there; and the office he had undertaken so lightly alarmed him now.
His first instinct was to gain time.

Accordingly, he began to chide her gently for having resided in the town and concealed it from him; then, seeing her confused and uncomfortable at that reproach, and in the mood to be relieved by any change of topic, he glided off, with no little address, as follows:--"Observe the consequences: here have I been most despotically rusticating a youth who turns out to be your son." "My son! is there any thing the matter with my son?
Oh, Dr.Amboyne!" "He must have been out of sorts, you know, or he would not have consulted me," replied the doctor, affecting candor.
"Consult! Why, what has happened?
He was quite well when he left me this morning." "I doubt that.

He complained of headache and fever.

But I soon found his MIND was worried.