"My dear Harry and Laura!" said he solemnly, "you have never known grief till now, but if you love me, listen with composure. I have sad news to tell, yet it is of the very greatest consequence that you should bear up with fortitude. Frank is extremely ill; and the joy he felt about your coming, has agitated him so much, that he is worse than you can possibly conceive. It probably depends upon your conduct now, whether he survives this night or not. Frank knows you are here; he is impatient for you to embrace him; he becomes more and more agitated every moment the meeting is delayed; yet if you give way to childish grief, or even to childish joy, upon seeing him again, the Doctors think it may cause his immediate death. You might hear his breathing in any part of this house. He is in the lowest extreme of weakness! It will be a dreadful scene for you both. Tell me, Harry and Laura, can you trust yourselves? Can you, for Frank's own sake, enter his room this moment, as quietly as if you had seen him yesterday, and speak to him with composure?" Laura felt, on hearing these words, as if the very earth had opened under her feet,--a choking sensation arose in her throat,--her colour fled,--her limbs shook,--her whole countenance became convulsed with anguish,--but making a resolute effort, she looked anxiously at Harry, and then said, in a low, almost inaudible voice, "Uncle David! we are able,--God will strengthen us. I dare not think a moment. The sooner it is done the better. Let us go now." Major Graham slowly led the way without speaking, till they reach the bed-room door, where he paused for a moment, while Harry and Laura listened to the gasping sound of Frank struggling for breath. "Remember you will scarcely know him," whispered he, looking doubtfully at Laura's pallid countenance; "but a single expression of emotion may be fatal. Show your love for Frank now, my dear children. Spare him all agitation,--forget your own feelings for his sake." When Harry and Laura entered the room, Frank buried his face in his hands, and leaned them on the table, saying, in convulsive accents, "Go away, Laura!--oh go away just now! I cannot bear it yet!--leave me!--leave me!"