"Do, and if there is need, you will tell my mother. A night's rest may set me right, but I have not felt well these three or four days-- I shall be in my own old room." He leant heavily on the balusters, but would not take his brother's arm. He passed into his dressing-room, and thus to the open door of the room where he heard his wife's voice; and as Mrs. Grindstone came forward to warn him off, he said, "She is awake." "Yes, sir; but she must not be excited." "Raymond!" "How are you now?" he asked, coming up to the bed. "Oh! it is very hot and heavy," said Cecil wearily, putting her hand into his; "I'm aching all over." "Poor child!" he said softly. She lifted her eyes to his face. "I wanted to tell you all day," she said. "Didn't you come to the door?" "Many times, my dear." "And now! oh dear! I don't recollect. Don't go, please." He sat down by her; she held his hand and dozed again. "You had best leave her now, sir," said the maid; "she will only go on in this way, and I can tend her." He would have given a great deal to have been sure that he could hold up his head ten minutes longer and to venture to send the woman away. Cecil muttered "Stay," and he sat on till her sleep seemed deeper, and he felt as if a few moments more might disable him from crossing the room, but his first movement again made her say "Don't." "Mr. Poynsett cannot stay, ma'am," said Grindstone, in a persuasive tone. "He is very tired, and not well, and you would not wish to keep him." "Give me a kiss," she said, like a tired child. It was not like the shy embrace with which they had sometimes met and parted, but he knew he must not rouse her, and only said very low, "Good night, my poor dear; God bless you, and grant us a happy meeting, whenever it is." Tears were flowing down his cheeks when Julius presently came to him again, and only left him when settled for the night. CHAPTER, XXVII The Water Lane Fever The Water Lane Fever. People called it so, as blinking its real name, but it was not the less true that it was a very pestilence in the lower parts of Wil'sbro'; and was prostrating its victims far and wide among the gentry who had resorted to the town-hall within the last few weeks. Cases had long been smouldering among the poor and the workmen employed, and several of these were terminating fatally just as the outbreak was becoming decisive.