s proceeded gently to the examination, which resulted in
their silently and perfectly coinciding in opinion with the patient
himself.

Then, with Doctor Day and Traverse, they entered into a consultation and
agreed upon the best palliatives that could be administered, and begging
that if in any manner, professionally or otherwise, they could serve
their suffering friend, at any hour of the day or night, they might be
summoned, they took leave.

As soon as they had gone, Clara, who had given way to a flood of tears,
and regained her composure, rapped for admittance.

"Presently, dear daughter--presently," said the doctor, who then,
beckoning Traverse to stoop low, said:

"Do not let Clara sit up with me to-night. I foresee a night of great
anguish which I may not be able to repress, and which I would not have
her witness! Promise you will keep her away."

"I promise," faltered the almost broken-hearted youth. "You may admit
her now," said the doctor, composing his convulsed countenance as best
he could, lest the sight of his sufferings should distress his
daughter.

Clara entered, and resumed her post at the side of the bed.

Traverse left the room to prepare the palliatives for his patient.

The afternoon waned. As evening approached the fever, inflammation and
pain arose to such a degree that the doctor could no longer forbear
betraying his excessive suffering, which was, besides, momentarily
increasing, so he said to Clara:

"My child, you must now leave me and retire to bed. I must be watched by
Traverse alone to-night."

And Traverse, seeing her painful hesitation, between her extreme
reluctance to leave him and her wish to obey him, approached and
murmured:

"Dear Clara, it would distress him to have you stay; he will be much
better attended by me alone."

Clara still hesitated; and Traverse, beckoning his mother to come and
speak to her, left her side.

Mrs. Rocke approached her and said: "It must be so, dear girl, for you
know that there are some cases in which sick men should be watched by
men only, and this is one of them. I myself shall sit up to-night in the
next room, within call."

"And may I not sit there beside you?" pleaded Clara.

"No, my dear love; as you can do your father no good, he desires that
you should go to bed and rest. Do not distress him by refusing."

"Oh, and am I to go to bed and sleep while my dear father lies here
suffering? I cannot; oh, I cannot."

"My dear, yes