So she reposed in my arms, and—­with broken sobs, the intervals of which gradually increased, she finally slept.  A lethargy also fell upon me, which endured how long I know not.  As I returned to wakefulness, I shuddered with a cold thrill, such as one might feel on suddenly finding himself in the presence of a spirit; for I heard what was of more terrible meaning to me than any other sound.  The rest of the precious sleeper at my side was disturbed frequently by a short, husky cough, followed by a low moan as of dull pain.  Well I knew the prediction conveyed by those sounds.  Long watchings by the bedside of a slowly-dying mother had made me fearfully familiar with them.  Through the lingering hours of that night I sat listening to them with an agonized ear, and in my bitterness I almost cursed Heaven for providing the doom I anticipated.

At the first glimpse of morning I bore her carefully to the side of the sleeping children, and, after replacing in the casket its contents, sped to the house of the physician whom I have previously mentioned, and, leaving word for immediate attendance, hastened back, and resumed my watch.  Oh! in the dawn how pallid and sunken the features which I had so often seen flushed and full with the animation of life and genius!  Evelyn woke and smiled peacefully on me, but lay as if still exhausted with weariness.  The physician came.  He was already aware that my wife had been engaged in her profession, though ignorant of the objects which had induced her to it.  I informed him of my apprehensions.  Conducting him to Evelyn, I excused his presence by stating my fear that she might require his advice after her excitement and fatigue.  With skillful caution he observed her, and in conversation elicited the statement that some months since she had been ill from exposure.  She had recovered, she said, and was entirely well, except that occasionally slight exertion prostrated her.  Even while she spoke the monitor was continually making itself heard.

I drew him to the other apartment, and in a hoarse whisper said,—­’Well, your verdict;—­but I know it already from your countenance.’

‘If you were wealthy,’ he replied—­

‘Wealthy!  I am rich—­rich,’ I interrupted him.  ‘Look!’ (with this I opened the casket, and run my fingers through the glittering contents, like a miser through his coin.) ’Tell me what wealth can do, and these shall do it.  To gain these she has imperiled life.  Let them restore it if they can.’

I saw suspicion on his countenance.  ‘It is false,’ I exclaimed, ’false!  I tell you she is as pure as heaven.  It was for me that she earned all these.’  And I dashed them on the floor and ground them under my feet.

He seized me and was weeping.  ‘You are mad,’ he said.  ’I believe you.  Now I understand all.  Do not delay.  Take her to Italy, and may Heaven preserve her to you.’

In a week’s time we were on our voyage, accompanied by the children and the physician—­the latter professing to Evelyn that he desired to make the tour of Europe.  My own apology for the voyage was a wish to complete the tour previously interrupted.