"`It's not much I ask!' I groaned, in an agony of supplication, as I lay there, and stretched out my thin and trembling hands; `only that I may have strength--strength to work. I care not how hard, how humble it may be, only give me back my strength.' "Perhaps it was from exhaustion, but I felt and thought differently after that; for it seemed to me then, as I lay there, that my prayer was heard, and a sweet restful sleep fell upon me, from which I awakened at last to find it was quite sunset, while, on looking round, there sat my wife watching by the bedside. "`Back,' I said, `so soon?' "`Soon, dear?' she said; `I have been sitting here an hour. It is seven o'clock, and they say you fell asleep before twelve. It was so sweet and sound a sleep that I would not wake you.' "I lay there quite still for a few minutes, holding her hand in mine, and then I said quite calmly-- "`Lizzie, I'm going to get strong now.' "`Yes, yes; of course, dear,' she said; and I saw the hopeless tears gathering in her eyes. "I smiled. She told me afterwards that I had not smiled with such a calm contented look on my countenance for many, many months, and it frightened her; for she thought it might be the precursor of a terrible change. "`Yes,' I said, `get strong;' and I patted the little transparent hand that had grown with anxiety and watching as thin as my own. `Yes,' I repeated again, `get strong. I can feel it now. What is to-morrow?' "`Friday,' she said; and her eyes dilated with fear. "`Then get a few things ready, and on Saturday we will go down to one of those little villages near Dover for a month. The sea-air will give me the strength I want, and then to work once more. Thank God the worst is past!' "`Harry, Harry, dear Harry!' she sobbed, flinging her arms wildly round me, and drawing my head to her bosom. `Oh, speak to me--speak again! You are worse--much worse. No, no; let go, let go,' she cried frantically, as she struggled to get away, `let me ring.' "`What for? what for, little woman?' I said, holding her more tightly to my breast. "`To get help--to send for the doctor,' she cried wildly. "`Hush, hush!' I said. `Look at me--look in my eyes--do I seem worse?' "`N-no,' she faltered, gazing at me with her poor face all drawn and haggard; `but--but--' "`Lay your head on my arm, darling, and listen,' I said calmly. `There, there, I tell you calmly and sanely that I am better. I know I am better. The old weary feeling has gone; and I believe--yes, I believe that my prayer has been heard.' "Poor little weary heart, that had been so tortured for my sake! It was long enough before I could calm her to the same belief as mine; but at last she sat there with her head resting on the pillow nearest mine, and she answered my questions about her journey to town with Hetty. "`A nice house?' I said. "`Yes; a large pretentious place in a new square.' "`And the people?' "`I only saw the mistress and children.' "`Nice?'