Quickly leading her to the bed, she laid her in among the warm blankets; but external warmth could not subdue the nervous chill that shook her frame in every part.
"The doctor must be sent for," said Mrs.Loring--and she was about leaving the bedside.
"No, no, aunt!" Mrs.Dexter caught her hand, and held her back.

"I want no physician--only quiet and seclusion.

Have my own little room prepared for me, and let me go there to-night." Mrs.Loring sat down undecided, and in great perplexity of mind.
"Listen!" Some one had rung the door-bell violently.
"Aunt!" Mrs.Dexter started up and laid her hand on the arm of Mrs.
Loring.

"If that is Mr.Dexter, remember that I positively refuse to meet him.

I am ill, as you can see; and I warn you that the agitation of a forced interview may cost me my life." "If it is Mr.Dexter, what shall I say?
Hark! Yes! It is his step, and his voice." "Say that I cannot be seen, and that I have left him forever." "But, Jessie"-- "Aunt Loring, remonstrance is vain! I have not taken this step without a deep consciousness of being right; and no power on earth can lead me to retrace it.