Every vestige of mirth fled from his countenance as they gazed on the sleeping girl.

The feverish flush had left the cheek, now perfectly wan; the dark brown hair clung on the pure, beautiful brow, and beneath the closed eyes were dark circles, traced by mental suffering.

The expression of the face was perfectly calm, yet a wearied look, as though longing to be at rest, lingered there.

So motionless she lay, that Frank hastily placed his hand on hers to feel if warmth and vitality remained.

Slowly and faint came the pulsations, and, as he watched her deathlike slumber, his cheek grew pale, a look of unutterable anguish settled on his noble brow, and the finely cut lips were tightly compressed, as with some acute though hidden pain.
Florence slowly returned to Mr.and Mrs.Carlton--no smile passed her lips the remainder of the day; she seemed now, for the first time, to realize her cousin's danger, and naught could divert her mind from this new grief.
Dr.Bryant bent his head upon his breast, and murmured in saddened tones: "Oh, Mary! Mary! how gladly would I give all I possess on earth to see you strong and well again.".