she felt unwell. On regaining the house she had sat down in the room in
which we then were,--"which," said Mrs. Ashleigh, "as it is not required
for a sleeping-room, my daughter, who is fond of reading, wished to fit
up as her own morning-room, or study. I left her here and went into the
drawing-room below with Mr. Vigors. When he quitted me, which he did
very soon, I remained for nearly an hour giving directions about the
placing of furniture, which had just arrived, from our late residence.
I then went up-stairs to join my daughter, and to my terror found her
apparently lifeless in her chair. She had fainted away."

I interrupted Mrs. Ashleigh here. "Has Miss Ashleigh been subject to
fainting fits?"

"No, never. When she recovered she seemed bewildered, disinclined to
speak. I got her to bed, and as she then fell quietly to sleep, my mind
was relieved. I thought it only a passing effect of excitement, in a
change of abode; or caused by something like malaria in the atmosphere
of that part of the grounds in which I had found her seated."

"Very likely. The hour of sunset at this time of year is trying to
delicate constitutions. Go on."

"About three quarters of an hour ago she woke up with a loud cry, and
has been ever since in a state of great agitation, weeping violently,
and answering none of my questions. Yet she does not seem light-headed,
but rather what we call hysterical."

"You will permit me now to see her. Take comfort; in all you tell me I
see nothing to warrant serious alarm."

CHAPTER X.

To the true physician there is an inexpressible sanctity in the sick
chamber. At its threshold the more human passions quit their hold on
his heart. Love there would be profanation; even the grief permitted to
others he must put aside. He must enter that room--a calm intelligence.
He is disabled for his mission if he suffer aught to obscure the
keen quiet glance of his science. Age or youth, beauty or deformity,
innocence or guilt, merge their distinctions in one common
attribute,-human suffering appealing to human skill.

Woe to the households in which the trusted Healer feels not on his
conscience the solemn obligations of his glorious art! Reverently as in
a temple, I stood in the virgin's chamber. When her mother placed her
hand in mine, and I felt the throb of its pulse, I was aware of no
quicker beat of my own heart. I looked with a steady eye on the face
more beautiful from the flush that deepened