The very extremity of her anguish prevented its continuance. After this paroxysm she appeared dazed and was quiet for some time, then her mind commenced to wander in other channels. "Mrs. King! mother! do not look so coldly at me. Pity your poor little girl! you used to love me once. I have not betrayed you, mother. I have never breathed the secret that was killing me, even to my husband. I have given you my life." Then she closed her eyes for a few minutes. She opened them again and looked wistfully at her husband. "Harry, kiss me--am I so ugly, dear? I think they have cut off all my hair; but they said I was ugly before that. Mrs. Grimm used to say I was ugly; but you don't think so, do you, dear?" The man put his lips to hers and his tears fell on her cheek, he could not keep them back. Then her eyes lit up with a beautiful light of great love. "Kiss me once more, dear--I am dying; one last sweet kiss from you just as I am dying. I will die as you kiss, die in your dear arms, Harry," and she stretched out her hands to him. He clasped her softly in his arms and kissed her hot brow. She lay there with a contented smile on her lips, her eyes closed, and in a few moments she fell into a deep tranquil sleep. He did not move his arm away lest he should disturb her, and nearly an hour passed, and his heart became light within him, as he saw that the danger was passing, that in all probability she would awake refreshed and calm, with a sound mind. At last there came a gentle tap at the door, and the nurse entered. "Please, Dr. Duncan," she said, "there is a lady downstairs who has called to see you. I told her that you were engaged--as you ordered--but she will not go: she said she must see you, that her business is of the utmost importance." "Tell her that I cannot possibly see her just now," whispered the doctor. The woman went out but returned in a minute or so. "Has she not gone?" he asked, an angry look on his face. "No, sir! she won't go; she says she will wait for you till you can see her." "What name did she give?" "She wouldn't give her name, sir," replied the nurse, "she says you must see her, that she has come on a matter of life and death. She says that what she has to tell you is a secret that affects Mrs. Duncan." The woman hesitated as she continued, "She told me to tell you, sir, that she can save Mrs. Duncan's life. I think she is crazy, sir; but she looks as if she were very much in earnest." The doctor pondered for a few moments, then seeing that his wife was still in a profound sleep, he drew his arm gently from under her head, and after whispering to the nurse to remain there until he returned, he noiselessly left the room. On entering the study he saw Catherine King standing by the fire-place, erect as of old, but with a face deadly pale.