Ellen advanced, but her cousin moved not at her entrance, nor even when she knelt by her side, and twined her arms around her.
"Will you not go to bed, dearest Emmeline?
it is so late, and you have been so fearfully agitated to-day.

Look up and speak to me, my own dear cousin, or I shall fancy you are hurt with me for permitting so many hours to pass without coming near you, when I knew you were in suffering.

Oh, you know not how I longed to come, but my aunt said you had entreated to be left alone.

I stood for some minutes by your door, but all was so still, I thought I should disturb you did I enter.

You do not accuse me of unkindness, Emmeline ?" Housed by her cousin's affectionate words and imploring voice, Emmeline resisted not her embrace, but clung to her in silence.
"You are ill, you are very ill, dearest, dearest Emmeline; do not sit up thus; for my sake, for your mother's sake, try if sleep will not ease this aching head," exclaimed Ellen, much alarmed at the burning heat and quick throbbing of Emmeline's forehead, as it rested on her shoulder.
"I cannot sleep, Ellen, it is useless to attempt it; I feel as if my eyes would never close again; as if years had passed over my head since last night.