A few, very few words told her all.

At first Mr.Hamilton's words had been almost inarticulate from the thankfulness that filled his heart.

It was long ere Ellen awoke to consciousness.

Her slight frame was utterly exhausted by its continued conflict with the mind within, and now that joy had come, that there was no more need for control or sorrow, her extraordinary energy of character for the moment fled, and left her in very truth the weak and loving woman.

Before she could restore life to Ellen's inanimate form, Mrs.Hamilton had time to hear that simple tale of silent suffering, to feel her bosom glow in increasing love and gratitude towards the gentle being who for her sake had endured so much.
"Was it but a dream, or did I not read that Edward lived, was spared,--that he was not drowned?
Oh, tell me, my brain seems still to swim.