Do you mean to tell me, doctor, that she who only yesterday sat smiling by my side, life of my life, soul of my soul, dearer to me than all the world, has gone from me, and that I shall see her no more?
I cannot, I will not believe it! I shall hear her crying for me directly, or she will come smiling into the room.

Oh, Madaline, my wife, my wife!" Stephen Letsom was too clever a man and too wise a doctor to make any endeavor to stem such a torrent of grief.

He knew that it must have its way.

He sat patiently listening, speaking when he thought a word would be useful; and Lord Charlewood never knew how much he owed to his kind, unwearied patience.
Presently he went up to look at his wife, and, kneeling by her side, nature's great comforter came to him.

He wept as though his heart would break--tears that eased the burning brain, and lightened the heavy heart.