That day, which had so painfully impressed the invalid with the first real consciousness of her weakness, was passed in repining and discontent, and when the hour for the assembling of Mrs. Davis's reading party had arrived, and Jane still remained at her bedside, she desired her to go down, and drawing a book from under her pillow, said she preferred to read alone. The next day a trying task devolved on Jane, who was considered the most fit person to break to her sister news which must almost overwhelm her, but which could not long be withheld. Several times during the day Ellen had impatiently inquired for Fanny, who, she said, ought to have been to see her. "But she will come in the evening, I am sure, to tell me all about the party, and who went, and who was sorry that I could not go. Fanny is a nice girl, Jane; I am surprised that you never liked her. I must go there as soon as I can get out; Mr. Ashton won't call me vain and silly now, since I've had this illness to make me so steady and quiet." And she tried to smile at the bitter recollection. Jane made no reply, and Ellen looked again in her face. "Why, Jane," she exclaimed, "I hope you are not going to be ill too; you really look dreadful, and as if you had been crying all night. What is the matter with you?" "It was a very good thing you could not go out yesterday, dear Ellen," said Jane, tenderly. "I don't think so at all; but that is not an answer to my question, you have not been crying about me surely, Jane?" And again she gazed inquisitively, and with some rising alarm, upon her sister. "Mr. Ashton called last night," said Jane. "Mr. Ashton? How very kind! I'm sure I did not expect him to come and inquire after me." "He came to see if Fanny had been here." "Why? Did not Fanny go straight home after the party came back?" "The boat was very late in leaving to return, I believe," faltered Jane; "and Henry Ashton, and the other young men had taken too much to drink." "O Jane! Go on—what else?" whispered Ellen, turning deathly pale, and trembling violently. "Tell me quickly, what else?" "The boat upset; Henry was picked up, and five of the others; but poor Fanny—" Ellen heard no more; she sank back, apparently lifeless, and remained so for some time. The unhappy young people, to the number of nine, having delayed their return too late for the idle efforts of four half-intoxicated young men, embarked hastily, in the hope of reaching a river steamer, which might tow them easily along. The effort to catch the rope which was to connect them with the steamer, caused a lurch, which frightened the female portion of the party, and they rushed to one side; this upset the boat, and in an instant they were all struggling in the water for their lives.