"This instant, but--" and he looked at her earnestly. "Yes, yes," said she hastily, "it is all right and beautiful. Here's her last letter; I've been reading it all day. Take it; you'll see how--" Marian's voice broke down, and she hastened to the open door of Mrs. Lyddell's room. There was something for her to do in attempting to restore her, for the maid was not helpful; and Mr. Lyddell stood at the foot of the bed, as if all his powers were paralysed. Mr. Wells wanted assistance; for Mrs. Lyddell, exhausted by watching and her previous weakness, was in so sinking and depressed a state, as to need the greatest care. Marian was employed in attending her till towards morning, when she sank into a sleep. "You had better go to bed," said Mr. Lyddell, very kindly, as Marian at length turned away from her, and stood by the fireside, where he was sitting in the arm-chair, his hands over his forehead "I must not let you overwork yourself." "O, I am not tired, if I can be of any use." "No, no, rest now, thank you," said he, in a broken, dejected tone. She went, and again found Walter in the outer room, watching for tidings of his mother. "Asleep," she said. "Lionel?" "Asleep too, I hope. You are going to bed?" "Yes, thank you; but Clara--" "I will go to Clara the first thing in the morning. I shall sit up on my father's account. Don't you think of it,--sleep as long as you can; you have had watching enough." "I have been so glad," Marian said, in a tear-stilled whisper. "You cannot tell how I have longed to thank you, Marian, for what you have been to her:" said Walter, speaking from the fulness of heart, which overcame his natural reserve and bashfulness. "You are thanked enough by our present feelings on the subject,--by that letter:--may I keep it a little longer?" "O yes, yes!" cried Marian, hastily, disclaiming in her heart all his thanks, though unable to do so with her lips. "It takes away all regret for the briefness of the illness," added Walter, as if the speaking of it was a satisfaction he could hardly relinquish. "I am sure she thought much; no one can tell what passed," said Marian, in a low, broken murmur. "Little did I think last summer--" said Walter, aloud to himself. "Yes, this is best, far best, if one could but feel it so!" Marian thought the same, and, like him, could not feel it; but unable to express herself, she simply said, as soon as her tears would let her, "Good-night," and went up to her own room.