During this quiet paroxysm no one spoke; but when Dalton turned his eyes upon Mave Sullivan, she was pale as ashes.
Mary, who had noticed nothing particular in the incidents just related, now urged Mave to depart; and the latter, on exchanging glances with Dalton, could perceive that a feeble hectic had overspread his face.

She looked on him earnestly for a moment, then paused as if in thought, and going round to his bedside, knelt down, and taking his hand, said-- "Con, if there is any earthly thing that I can do to give ease and comfort to your mind, I am ready to do it.

If it would relieve you, forget that you ever saw me, or ever--ever--knew me at all.

Suppose I am not living--that I am dead.

I say this, dear Con, to relieve you from any pain or distress of mind that you may feel on my account.