wnstairs, while he was speaking. "Don't leave us,
sir--I'm afraid it's coming on again."

"This gentleman will help you, while I am away," said the doctor. "One
word more," he went on, addressing Amelius. "In the intervals between
the fits, she is perfectly conscious; able to listen, and even to speak.
If she has any last wishes to communicate, make good use of the time.
She may die of exhaustion, at any moment. I will be back directly."

He hurried to the door.

"Take my cab," said Amelius, "and save time."

"But the young lady--"

"Leave her to me." He opened the cab door, and gave his hand to Sally.
It was done in a moment. The doctor drove off.

Amelius saw the servant waiting for them in the hall. He spoke to Sally,
telling her, considerately and gently, what he had heard, before he took
her into the house. "I had such good hopes for you," he said; "and it
has come to this dreadful end! Have you courage to go through with it,
if I take you to her bedside? You will be glad one day, my dear, to
remember that you cheered your mother's last moments on earth."

Sally put her hand in his. "I will go anywhere," she said softly, "with
You."

Amelius led her into the house. The servant, in pity for her youth,
ventured on a word of remonstrance. "Oh, sir, you're not going to let
the poor young lady see that dreadful sight upstairs!"

"You mean well," Amelius answered; "and I thank you. If you knew what I
know, you would take her upstairs, too. Show the way."

Sally looked at him in silent awe as they followed the servant together.
He was not like the same man. His brows were knit; his lips were
fast set; he held the girl's hand in a grip that hurt her. The latent
strength of will in him--that reserved resolution, so finely and firmly
entwined in the natures of sensitively organized men--was rousing itself
to meet the coming trial. The doctor would have doubly believed in him,
if the doctor had seen him at that moment.

They reached the first-floor landing.

Before the servant could open the drawing-room door, a shriek rang
frightfully through the silence of the house. The servant drew back, and
crouched trembling on the upper stairs. At the same moment, the door was
flung open, and another woman ran out, wild with terror. "I can't bear
it!" she cried, and rushed up the stairs, blind to the presence
of strangers in the panic that possessed her. Amelius entered the
drawing-room, with his arm round Sally, holding