an? Is she altering her will, do you suppose?"

"I am sure I don't know, Cousin," said Phoebe.

"I shouldn't wonder if she is. I dare say she'll leave you one or two
hundred pounds," said Rhoda, with extreme benignity. "Really, I wish
she would. You're a good little thing, Fib, for all your whims."

"Thank you, Cousin," said Phoebe, meekly.

And the cousins went to sleep with amiable feelings towards each other.

The dawn was just creeping over the earth when something awoke Phoebe.
Something like the faint tingle of a bell seemed to linger in her ears.

"Rhoda!--did you hear that?" she asked.

"Hear what?" demanded Rhoda, in a very sleepy voice.

"I fancied I heard a bell," said Phoebe, trying to listen.

"Oh, nonsense!" answered Rhoda, rather more awake. "Go to sleep.
You've been dreaming."

And Phoebe, accepting the solution, took the advice. She was scarcely
asleep again, as it seemed to her, when the door was softly opened, and
Betty came in.

"Mrs Rhoda, my dear, you'd better get up."

"What time is it?" sleepily murmured Rhoda.

"You'd better get up," repeated Betty. "Never mind the time."

"Betty, is there something the matter?"

Betty ignored Phoebe's question.

"Come, my dear, jump up!" she said, still addressing Rhoda. "You'll be
wanted by-and-bye."

"Who wants me?" inquired Rhoda, making no effort to rise.

"Well, Mr Dawson, the lawyer, is coming presently, and you'll have to
see him."

"I!" Rhoda's eyes opened pretty wide. "Why should I see him? 'Tis
Madam wants him, not me."

To the astonishment of both the girls, Betty burst out crying.

"Betty, I am sure something has happened," said Phoebe, springing up.
"What is the matter?"

"O, my dear, Madam's gone!" sobbed Betty. "Poor dear gentlewoman!
She'll never see anybody again. Mrs Rhoda, she's died in the night."

There was a moment of silent horror, as the eyes of the cousins met.
Then Phoebe said under her breath--

"That bell!"

"Yes, poor dear Madam, she rang her bell," said Betty; "but she could
not speak when I got to her. I don't think she was above ten minutes
after. I've sent off sharp for Dr Saunders, and Mr Dawson too; but
'tis too late--eh, poor dear gentlewoman!"

"Did you send for Mr Leighton?" asked Rhoda, in an awe-struck voice.

"Oh dear, yes, I sent for him too; but la! what can he do?" answered
Betty, wiping her eyes.

They all came in due order: Dr Saunders to pronounce that Madam had
be