She looked kindly and tenderly into her husband's face, and even leaned her head against him while the physician proceeded to examine the children.
But little, if any encouragement was offered to the unhappy parents.
The incipiency of the disease gave small room for hope, it was so like the usual precursor of the direful malady they feared.
Ten days of awful suspense and fear succeeded to this, and then the worst came.

Two happy voices that had, for so many years, echoed through the familiar places of home, were hushed forever.

Kate and Mary were no more.

But, as if satisfied, death passed, and Harry was spared.
Three were now all that remained of the large and happy household; the babe, whose coming had awakened afresh the murmurings of the father, and clear little Harry, just snatched, as it were, from the jaws of death, and the gay, dancing Lizzy, whose voice had, lost much of its silvery sweetness.

Mrs.Bancroft did not again, either by look or word, repeat or refer to her stunning rebuke.