nd
stand there talking to me in a low voice, and feeling a kind of
satisfaction, I believe, in being so near his darling.

Once I ventured to tell her that he was there, and to let him speak
a few words for her to hear. But the sound of the voice she loved so
well had such an agitating effect upon her, that I sorely repented
my imprudence, and took good care not to repeat it.

So the days went by, in that slow dreary way in which time passes
when those we love are ill; and it seemed, in the dead calm of the
sick-room, as if all the business of life had come to a stand-still.

I did not see much of Mrs. Darrell during this period. She came to
Milly's door two or three times a day to ask about her progress,
with all appearance of affection and anxiety; but throughout the
rest of the day she remained secluded in her own rooms. I noticed
that she had a wan haggard look at this time, like that of a person
who had existed for a long while without sleep; but this in no
manner surprised me, after that scene in the drawing-room.

As the time went by, I felt that my strength was beginning to fail,
and I sadly feared that we might have at last to employ the
professional aid which the Manchester physician had suggested. I had
slept very little from the beginning of Milly's illness, being too
anxious to sleep when I had the opportunity of doing so; and I now
began to suffer from the effects of this prolonged sleeplessness.
But I struggled resolutely against fatigue, determined to see my
dear girl through the fever if possible; and I succeeded
wonderfully, by the aid of unlimited cups of strong tea, and always
ably seconded by Susan Dodd, Milly's devoted maid.

Between us we two performed all the duties of the sick-room. The
medicines, wine, soups, jellies, and all things required for the
invalid were kept in the dressing-room, which communicated with the
bedroom by one door, and had another door opening on to the
corridor.

The sick-room, which was very large and airy, was by this means kept
free from all litter; and Susan and I took pleasure in making it
look bright and fresh. I used to fetch a bouquet from the garden
every morning for the little table by the bed. At the very
commencement of Milly's illness I had missed Peter, Mrs. Thatcher's
grandson. I asked one of the men what had become of him, and was
told that he had taken the fever and was lying ill at his
grandmother's cottage. I mentioned this to Mrs. Darrell, an