“Mother, you are actually panting for breath!” Edward exclaimed when they were half-way up the stairs.  “I shall carry you,” and taking her in his arms as he spoke, he bore her to her boudoir and laid her tenderly down on its couch.  “Oh, mother dear,” he said, in quivering tones, “tell me all.  Why should your eldest son be shut out from your confidence?”

“My dear boy,” she answered, putting her hand into his, “can you not rest content till to-morrow?  Why should you think that anything serious ails me?”

“Your pale looks and evident weakness,” he said, “grandpa’s distressed countenance as he turns his eyes on you, and the unusually sober, serious look of Cousin Arthur as I met him passing out of the house to-night.  He had been with you, had he not?”

“Yes, my son, and I meant that you and your sisters should know all to-morrow or the next day.  It is only for your own sake I would have had you spared the knowledge till then.”

“Dearest mother, tell me all now,” he entreated; “for surely no certainty can be worse than this dreadful suspense.”

“No, I suppose not,” she replied in sorrowful tones, her eyes gazing into his, full of tenderest mother love.  Then in a few brief sentences she told him all.

“Oh, mother dear; dearest mother!” he cried, clasping her close, “if I, your eldest son, might but take and bear it all—­the pain and the danger—­for you, how gladly I would do so!”

“I do not doubt it, my own dear boy,” she returned, in moved tones, “but it cannot be; each of us must bear his or her own burden and I rejoice that this is mine rather than that of my dear son.  Do not grieve for me; do not be too anxious; remember that he whose love for me is far greater than any earthly love appoints it all, and it shall be for good.  ’We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.’  Blessed, comforting assurance!  And how sweet are those words of Jesus, ‘What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter!’”

“Yes, dearest mother,” he said, with emotion, “and for you it will be all joy, the beginning of an eternity of bliss, if it shall please him to take you to himself; but oh, how hard it will be for your children to learn to live without you!  But I will hope and pray that the result may be for you restored health and a long and happy life.”

For some moments he held her in a close embrace, then, at the sound of approaching footsteps in the hall without, laid her gently down upon her pillows.

“Keep it from Zoe for to-night, if possible,” she said softly.  “Dear little woman!  I would not have her robbed of her night’s rest.”

“I will try, mother dear,” he said, pressing his lips again and again to hers.  “God grant you sweet and refreshing sleep, but oh, do not for a moment hesitate to summon me if there is anything I can do to relieve you, should you be in pain, or to add in any way to your comfort.”