“Of what, Mimmy?”

“Of a very near, though unacknowledged relationship; don’t question me any further upon that particular point, my dear, for I really know nothing whatever about it.  Oh, dear.”  And the invalid groaned and turned over.

“Mother, you are very weak; mother, please to take some tea; let me go get you some hot.”

“Tell me, Jacquelina; will you do as the old man wishes you?”

“I will tell you after you take some refreshments,” said Jacquelina.

“Well! go bring me some.”

The girl went and brought more hot tea and toast, and waited until her mother had drunk the former and partaken of a morsel of the latter.  When, in answer to the eager, inquiring look, she said: 

“Mother, if I alone were concerned, I would leave this house this moment, though I should never have another roof over my head.  But for your sake, mother, I will still fight the battle.  I will try to turn uncle from his purpose.  I will try to awaken Grim’s generosity, if he has any, and get him to withdraw his suit.  I will get aunty to use her influence with both of them, and see what can be done.  But as for marrying Dr. Grimshaw, mother—­I know what I am saying—­I would rather die!”

“And see me die, my child?”

“Oh, mother! it will not be so bad as that.”

“Jacquelina, it will.  Do you know what is the meaning of these afternoon fevers and night sweats and this cough?”

“I know it means that you are very much out of health, Mimmy, but I hope you will be well in the spring.”

“Jacquelina, it means death.”

“Oh, no!  No, no!  No, no!  Not so!  There’s Miss Nancy Skamp has had a cough every winter ever since I knew her, and she’s not dead nor likely to die, and you will be well in the spring,” said the girl, changing color; and faltering in spite of herself.

“I shall never see another spring, my child—­”

“Oh, mother! don’t! don’t say so.  You—­”

“Hear me out, my dear; I shall never live to see another spring unless I can have a quiet life with peace of mind.  These symptoms, my child, mean death, sooner or later.  My life may be protracted for many years, if I can live in peace and comfort; but if I must suffer privation, want and anxiety, I cannot survive many months, Jacquelina.”

The poor girl was deadly pale; she started up and walked the floor in a distracted manner, crying: 

“What shall I do!  Oh! what shall I do?”

“It is very plain what you shall do, my child.  You must marry Dr. Grimshaw.  Come, my dear, be reasonable.  If I did not think it best for your happiness and prosperity, I would not urge it.”

“Mimmy, don’t talk any longer, dear!” Jacquelina interrupted.  “There’s a bright spot on your cheek now, and your fever will rise again, even this morning.  I will see what can be done to bring everybody to reason!  I will not believe but that if I remain firm and faithful to my heart’s integrity there will be some way of escape made between these two alternatives.”