“Speak on, then, at once, in the name of the Lord!” exclaimed Frank, impatiently. Mrs. Fairfax endorsed his order. And then the woman informed her mistress that she had known the sick young lady all the winter by sight—that she had been there at the house to ask for sewing—that she took in sewing for a living—that she lodged at the cabinet-maker’s, over the way—and that she had a little girl almost two years old, who was no doubt at the cabinet-maker’s now, which she supposed was what had made the mother look around, and inquire so anxiously. The woman’s story was scarcely over before Captain Fairfax seized his hat, and hurried from the room. As soon as he was gone, Mrs. Fairfax called the woman up before her, and said— “Nelly, you heard your master tell me of his marriage with this young lady?” “Yes, madam.” “I need not tell you that it is my will that there be no kitchen gossip about this matter. This young lady—once Miss Zuleime Clifton, is now, and has been for nearly three years past, Mrs. Francis Fairfax, the wife of my son, and is also your own young mistress. You understand?” “Yes, madam.” “Then let there be no idle conversation about this marriage, if you would avoid my severest displeasure.” Farther colloquy was arrested by the hurried entrance of Captain Fairfax, bringing his little wee girl in his arms. Mrs. Fairfax immediately arose to take her from him, but the child’s quick eyes had recognized her mother lying on the bed, and she began to clap her hands and call— “Mamma! mamma!” Frank held her closely, and tried to still her joyful, eager cries, but the magical sound of her child’s voice had already awakened the sleeper, and she opened her eyes, and seeing the babe in its father’s arms, smiled a feeble smile of content, and fell away again into oblivion. Mrs. Fairfax had the doctor summoned again, and told him that if he wished to see her daughter-in-law awake, he must remain at her bedside, for that she only awoke to relapse instantly into slumber. The physician then took his seat by the bedside of his patient, and requested all except a maid-servant to leave the chamber. Mrs. Fairfax and Frank went out, taking the little girl with them, and leaving the doctor with the invalid.