She seemed within the last few days so changed, and on the aspect of the countenance there was so profound a melancholy! But as she slowly turned at the sound of our footsteps, and her eyes met mine, a quick blush came into the wan cheek, and she half rose, but sank back as if the effort exhausted her.

There was a struggle for breath, and a low hollow cough.

Was it possible that I had been mistaken, and that in that cough was heard the warning knell of the most insidious enemy to youthful life?
I sat down by her side; I lured her on to talk of indifferent subjects,--the weather, the gardens, the bird in the cage, which was placed on the table near her.

Her voice, at first low and feeble, became gradually stronger, and her face lighted up with a child's innocent, playful smile.

No, I had not been mistaken! That was no lymphatic, nerveless temperament, on which consumption fastens as its lawful prey; here there was no hectic pulse, no hurried waste of the vital flame.
Quietly and gently I made my observations, addressed my questions, applied my stethoscope; and when I turned my face towards her mother's anxious, eager eyes, that face told my opinion; for her mother sprang forward, clasped my hand, and said, through her struggling tears,-- "You smile! You see nothing to fear ?" "Fear! No, indeed! You will soon be again yourself, Miss Ashleigh, will you not ?" "Yes," she said, with her sweet laugh, "I shall be well now very soon.
But may I not have the window open; may I not go into the garden?
I so long for fresh air." "No, no, darling," exclaimed Mrs.Ashleigh, "not while the east winds last.