"I can hardly tell you why, but I certainly have!" answered Doctor Mercer. "You know the Jesuits are making converts all over the nation. I will not conceal from you, Mrs. Evans, that I have heard some such reports about this poor young lady, and I fear she may have fallen among the Philistines, as the phrase is. But that is not our business just now. We will bring our patient through the present distress, if possible, and then we will see what can be done." Doctor Mercer gave Winifred very particular directions about the treatment of Paulina, charging her to watch her most carefully, visited the other patients and pronounced them to be going on favorably, all but coaxed old Ashwell into a good humor, and then went home to snatch such rest as he could before he should be called out again. The day waned into evening, and still Paulina continued apparently unconscious and motionless, though she swallowed what was put into her mouth. The house grew still as the grave, save where a mouse squeaked or rattled down the wall, or some of those unaccountable creaks and rustlings which are always to be heard by a watcher in an old house, made themselves audible. The night drew towards dawn, and still there was no change. At last, a bird chirped in the dark garden below, and was answered by another. "Winifred!" said a faint, oh, such a faint voice from the bed. "Are you here, Winifred?" "Yes, dear child!" answered Winifred, striving to speak calmly, although her heart bounded as if she had heard a voice from the dead. "You are better, are you not?" "Winifred!" said Paulina, arresting her hand as she put a spoonful of wine and water to the parched lips. "It is all true—all the doctor said! I heard, though I could not speak. It is all true!" "Do not talk now, Paulina," said Winifred. "I trust you are better, and that you will have ample time to say all you wish, but you must not speak now. Your life depends upon your keeping quiet." "I 'must!'" said Paulina, detaining Winifred's hand with more force than seemed possible in her weak state. "I shall not be better till this is off my mind. Is my father living?" "Yes, and going on well. Your mother is with him." "My sisters?" "Are all well, as yet. Dear Paulina, be quiet, I beseech you!" "I tell you, Winifred, I 'must' speak!" said Paulina, almost fiercely. "I must tell the truth before I die! Listen, that you may tell my parents, if I do not see them again!" Winifred felt, for a moment, in an agony of indecision and distress. The next, her own calm, good sense, and the habit of looking to a Higher Power for aid, quieted her, and she made up her mind what to do. "Speak then, dear, if it will relieve your mind, but be short. You wish to tell me that you were at the Romish chapel on Ascension-day?" "Yes, and before—many times!" Paulina's voice was weak, and she spoke with many pauses, but her words were clear and coherent, and her skin felt cool and natural.