, a
fine gal; fell into good hands, too, for my old woman is the greatest
kind of a nuss. Want to see her, don't you?--the lady I mean."

"Not just yet; I would like a few moments' conversation with your wife
first," answered Durward.

Greatly frustrated when she learned that the stylish looking gentleman
wished to talk with her, Aunt Betsey rubbed her shining face with
flour, and donning another cap, repaired to the sitting-room, where she
commenced making excuses about herself, the house, and everything else,
saying, "'twant what he was used to, she knew, but she hoped he'd try
to put up with it."

As soon as he was able to get in a word, Durward proceeded to ask her
every particular concerning 'Lena's illness, and whether she would
probably recognize him should he venture into her presence,

"Bless your dear heart, no. She hain't known a soul on us these three
days. Sometimes she calls me 'grandmother,' and says when she's dead
I'll know she's innocent. 'Pears Like somebody has been slanderin'
her, for she begs and pleads with Durward, as she calls him, not to
believe it. Ain't you the one she means?"

Durward nodded, and Mrs. Aldergrass continued:

"I thought so, for when the stage driv up she was standin' straight in
the bed, ravin' and screechin', but the minit she heard your voice she
dropped down, and has been as quiet ever since. Will you go up now?"

Durward signified his willingness, and following his landlady, he soon
stood in the close, pent-up room where, in an uneasy slumber, 'Lena lay
panting for breath, and at intervals faintly moaning in her sleep. She
had fearfully changed since last he saw her, and with a groan, he bent
over her, murmuring, "My poor 'Lena," while he gently laid his cool,
moist hand upon her burning brow. As if there were something soothing
in its touch, she quickly placed her little hot, parched hand on his,
whispering, "Keep it there. It will make me well."

For a long time he sat by her, bathing her head and carefully removing
from her face and neck the thick curls which Mrs. Aldergrass had
thought to cut away. At last she awoke, but Durward shrank almost in
fear from the wild, bright eyes which gazed so fixedly upon him, for in
them was no ray of reason. She called him "John" blessing him for
coming, and saying, "Did you tell Durward. Does _he_ know?"

"I am Durward," said he. "Don't you recognize me? Look again."

"No, no," she answered, with a mocking la