ur nerves are a
little shaken, and you will certainly be ill if you keep on working so
steadily."

Drysdale soon relapsed into moody silence, and when they reached his
gate, he was a really pitiable object. He asked Andrews to take supper
with him, but as the invitation was given only as a matter of form, the
latter excused himself, and rode immediately to the hotel. He happened
to meet Mrs. Potter in the parlor, but he stopped only a few minutes to
talk to her, as he was too hungry and tired to feel like entertaining
the fascinating widow.

It was then only about seven o'clock, and Mrs. Potter proposed to Mrs.
Townsend, and several other ladies and gentlemen, that they take a walk.
Accordingly, they strolled through the pleasant streets, enjoying the
balmy spring air, and often stopping at the gates of their friends, to
chat a few minutes. As they passed the Drysdale place, Mrs. Potter said:

"I want to run in to speak to Mrs. Drysdale a minute; I promised to stop
here on our riding excursion to-morrow, but as it is postponed, I want
to tell her not to expect me."

The rest of the party stayed at the gate, while Mrs. Potter went in. She
was ushered into the library, and Mrs. Drysdale came down at once.
Having explained her object in calling, Mrs. Potter asked whether Mr.
and Mrs. Drysdale would not join the party outside, for a short walk.

"I am sorry to say, that my husband is quite unwell," said Mrs.
Drysdale. "He returned from the plantation to-day, quite feverish, and
excited, and now he is in a sort of nervous delirium. He has had one or
two attacks before, but none so serious as this."

"I sincerely hope he is not going to be ill," said Mrs. Potter. "What
does the doctor think?"

"Oh! he won't have a doctor," replied Mrs. Drysdale; "he says that I am
the best doctor he can have, because I can soothe him."

Just then, Mrs. Potter heard a heavy footstep, beginning to pace up and
down overhead.

"There, he has arisen," said Mrs. Drysdale, "and I shall find him pacing
the room, and muttering to himself like a crazy man. You must excuse
me, as I must go to quiet him."

"Oh, certainly; I am sorry I called you away. Please let me know if I
can do anything for you. If Mr. Drysdale should be seriously ill, don't
be afraid to call upon me. I am an excellent nurse, and nothing would
give me greater pleasure than to assist you; or, at least, I could look
after the children."

"You are very kind, Mrs. Potter, a