They were reluctant to leave her; but, with her usual vehemence, she resisted all their protestations, and compelled them to join the party.

She was thus left alone in a house crowded with people, all of whom were strangers to her.

Some of them recollected afterward to have noticed her sitting on the piazza at sunset, looking at the mountains with an expression of great delight; but no one spoke with her, and no one missed her the next morning, when she did not come to breakfast.

Late in the forenoon, the landlady came running in great terror and excitement to one of the guests, exclaiming: "That lady that came yesterday is dying.
The chambermaids could not get into her room, nor get any answer, so we broke open the door.

The doctor says she'll never come to again!" Helpless, the village doctor, and the servants, and the landlady, and as many of the guests as could crowd into the little room, stood around Mercy's bed.