"Salome, God has heard my prayers,--has mercifully taken my darling from the arms of death, and given her to me. I do not think I am too sanguine in saying that she will ultimately recover, and my heart can not find language that will interpret its gratitude and joy." Never before had such a light shone in his clear, calm blue eyes, and illumined his usually grave countenance; and though continued vigils and keen anxiety had left their signet on his pale face, his great happiness was printed legibly on every feature, and found expression even in the deepened and softened tones of his voice. The girl did not move or speak, but looked steadily into his bright eyes, and the calmness with which she listened, comforted and encouraged him to hope that ere long she would conquer her preference. How could he know that at that instant she was impiously vowing that heaven had heard her last prayer?--that never again should a petition cross her lips? God had granted one prayer,--had decided against hers,--had denied her utterly; and henceforth she would not weary Him,--she would not mock herself and her misery. Dr. Grey saw that there was no quiver on the still, pale lips, no contraction of the polished forehead; but the rigidity of her face broke up suddenly in a smile of indescribable mournfulness,--a smile where self-contempt and pity and hopeless bitterness all lent their saddest phases. "Dr. Grey, in your present happy mood, you certainly can not be so ungracious as to deny me a favor?" "Have I ever refused my little sister anything she asked?" "The only favor you can ever grant me will be to persuade Miss Jane to consent to my departure. Look to it, sir, that I am allowed to go, and that right speedily; for go I certainly shall, at all hazards. Convince your sister that it is best, and let me go away forever, without incurring the displeasure of the only friend I ever had or ever shall have." She moved away as if to leave the grounds, but he caught her arm. "Wait five minutes, Salome, and I will take you home in my buggy. It is not right for you to walk alone at this early hour, and I will not allow it." She shook off his hand as if it had been an infant's; and, as she walked away, he heard her laugh with a degree of savage bitterness that stabbed his generous heart like a dagger; while behind her trailed the hissing echo,-- ... "Oh, alone, alone,-- Not troubling any in heaven, nor any on earth." CHAPTER XXIII.