As he returned to consciousness he looked wildly about him, and clasping little Birdie's hand in his, gazed at her with a tender imploring countenance: yet it was a despairing look--such a one as a shipwrecked seaman gives when, in sight of land, he slowly relaxes his hold upon the sustaining spar that he has no longer the strength to clutch, and sinks for ever beneath the waters.
A physician was brought in, who declared he had ruptured a minor blood-vessel, and would not let him utter a whisper, and, assisted by Mr.
Bates, placed him in his carriage, and the three were driven as swiftly as possible to the hotel where Clarence was staying.

Little Birdie retired to her room in great affliction, followed by Miss Ellstowe, and George Stevens was left in the room alone.
"What can the fellow have been doing here ?" he soliloquised; "on intimate terms too, apparently; it is very singular; I will wait Miss Ellstowe's return, and ask an explanation." When Miss Ellstowe re-entered the room, he immediately inquired, "What was that Mr.Garie doing here?
He seems on an exceedingly intimate footing, and your friend apparently takes a wonderful interest in him." "Of course she does; that is her _fiance_." "_Impossible_!" rejoined he, with an air of astonishment.
"Impossible!--why so?
I assure you he is.

They are to be married in a few weeks.

I am here to officiate as bridesmaid." "Phew!" whistled George Stevens; and then, after pausing a moment, he asked, "Do you know anything about this Mr.Garie--anything, I mean, respecting his family ?" "Why, no--that is, nothing very definite, more than that he is an orphan, and a gentleman of education and independent means." "Humph!" ejaculated George Stevens, significantly.
"Humph!" repeated Miss Ellstowe, "what do you mean?
Do you know anything beyond that?
One might suppose you did, from your significant looks and gestures." "Yes, I _do_ know something about this Mr.Garie," he replied, after a short silence.

"But tell me what kind of people are these you are visiting--Abolitionists, or anything of that sort ?" "How absurd, Mr.Stevens, to ask such a question; of course they are not," said she, indignantly; "do you suppose I should be here if they were?
But why do you ask--is this Mr.Garie one ?" "No, my friend," answered her visitor; "_I wish that was all_." "That was all!--how strangely you talk--you alarm me," continued she, with considerable agitation.