ated and
difficult attempt that the health of the over-tasked musician, excited
alike by past triumph and new ambition, suddenly gave way. He was taken
ill at night. The next morning the doctor pronounced that his disease
was a malignant and infectious fever. His wife and Viola shared in their
tender watch; but soon that task was left to the last alone. The Signora
Pisani caught the infection, and in a few hours was even in a state more
alarming than that of her husband. The Neapolitans, in common with the
inhabitants of all warm climates, are apt to become selfish and brutal
in their dread of infectious disorders. Gionetta herself pretended to be
ill, to avoid the sick-chamber. The whole labour of love and sorrow
fell on Viola. It was a terrible trial,--I am willing to hurry over the
details. The wife died first!

One day, a little before sunset, Pisani woke partially recovered from
the delirium which had preyed upon him, with few intervals, since the
second day of the disease; and casting about him his dizzy and feeble
eyes, he recognised Viola, and smiled. He faltered her name as he rose
and stretched his arms. She fell upon his breast, and strove to suppress
her tears.

"Thy mother?" he said. "Does she sleep?"

"She sleeps,--ah, yes!" and the tears gushed forth.

"I thought--eh! I know not WHAT I have thought. But do not weep: I shall
be well now,--quite well. She will come to me when she wakes,--will
she?"

Viola could not speak; but she busied herself in pouring forth an
anodyne, which she had been directed to give the sufferer as soon as the
delirium should cease. The doctor had told her, too, to send for him the
instant so important a change should occur.

She went to the door and called to the woman who, during Gionetta's
pretended illness, had been induced to supply her place; but the
hireling answered not. She flew through the chambers to search for her
in vain,--the hireling had caught Gionetta's fears, and vanished. What
was to be done? The case was urgent,--the doctor had declared not a
moment should be lost in obtaining his attendance; she must leave her
father,--she must go herself! She crept back into the room,--the anodyne
seemed already to have taken benign effect; the patient's eyes were
closed, and he breathed regularly, as in sleep. She stole away, threw
her veil over her face, and hurried from the house.

Now the anodyne had not produced the effect which it appeared to
have done; instead