am could not decide; and, in truth, he had
uttered his little speech with an air of dignity and
resignation that half imposed upon the younger man, and
impressed him, in spite of his better judgment. An heroic soul
going forth with an unfeigned stoicism to meet its fate? Or an
unhappy man, striving to hide a shivering consciousness from
himself and others, with an assumption of philosophical
scepticism? Ah! who was Graham, that he should judge or weigh
the secrets of another man's heart at such an hour as this? He
left the bedside, and went back once more to his writing.

A few minutes afterwards, Madame Lavaux knocked softly, and
looked into the room. Graham went out into the passage to
speak to her, closing the door after him.

"How is he now, the poor Monsieur?" asks Madame.

"He is sleeping now," Graham answered; "there is nothing to be
done but to keep him as quiet as possible."

"And will he recover, do you think?"

"Hardly. One must always hope; but he is very ill."

"Ah! well," said the landlady, resigning herself; "but, after
all," she added, "it is sad to see a man die like that; and
then there is the child. Otherwise the world will be none the
worse for wanting him. But what is to become of the little
girl?"

"That is all arranged," replied Graham, "she is to go to an
aunt, a sister of her father's, who, it appears, is Superior
of a convent near Liege. But can you tell me, Madame, had
Madame Linders quarrelled with her English relations? When she
was dying alone here, had she no friends of her own that she
could have sent for to be with her?"

"She would not have them, Monsieur; you see, she was devoted
to her husband in spite of all, this poor Madame, and _he_ had
quarrelled with her relations, I believe; at any rate, she
would not send for them. 'Adolphe will come,' she would always
say, 'and it would vex him to find anyone here,' and so she
died alone, for he never arrived till the next morning.
However," continues Madame, "it was not of that I came to
speak now, it was to know if Monsieur would not wish to have a
nurse to-night to attend the poor gentleman? It is what we
must have had if you had not been here, and there is no reason
why you should knock yourself up with nursing him."

"It certainly might be better," said Graham considering, "I
had thought of it, but--however, you are quite right, Madame, a
nurse we will have; where can I get one?"

Madame said he had better apply to the So