's ear
in words of contrition, penitence, and love; and only the fear of
injuring him enabled her to restrain her feelings, and remain calm and
quiet, kneeling there close by his side, with her hand in his. She
couldn't rest till she told him how very, very sorry she was for the
petulance of the past few days, and especially for the cold rejection of
his invitation to accompany him on his drive to Roselands, how firmly
resolved never again to give him like cause to be displeased with her,
and how dearly she loved him.
But she must refrain, from fear of exciting him: she must wait till all
danger from that was past.
It was hard; yet there was strong consolation in the certainty that his
dear love was still hers. She read it in his eyes, as they gazed fondly
into hers; felt it in the tender pressure of his hand; heard it in the
tones of his voice, as he called her his "darling, his own precious
little wife."
Yet she was tormented with the fear that his accident had affected his
mind and memory for the time, so that he had forgotten the unkindness of
the morning; and that, when returning health and vigor should recall
the facts to his remembrance, he would again treat her with the coldness
and displeasure merited by her behavior.
"But," she comforted herself, "if he does, it will not last long: he is
sure to forgive and love me as soon as I tell him how sorry I am."
She did not want to leave him to take either food or rest; but Arthur
insisted that she should go down to tea, and later to bed, leaving
Edward in his care; and she finally yielded to his persuasions, and
exertion of medical authority.
She objected that it was quite useless to go to bed; she was positively
sure she could not sleep a wink: but her head had scarcely touched the
pillow before she fell into a profound slumber, for she was quite worn
out with anxiety and grief.
It was broad daylight when she woke. The events of yesterday flashed
instantly upon her mind; and she sprang from her bed and began dressing
in haste.
She must learn as speedily as possible how Edward was; not worse,
surely, for Arthur had promised faithfully to call her at once if there
should be any unfavorable change during the night. Still, a light tap at
the door made her start, and turn pale; and she opened it with a
trembling hand.
Ella stood there with a bright, smiling countenance. "Good-morning,
coz," she said gayly. "I bring you good news,--two pieces of it. Ne
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