Zoe’s poor heart was longing to pour itself out into her husband’s ear in words of contrition, penitence, and love; and only the fear of injuring him enabled her to restrain her feelings, and remain calm and quiet, kneeling there close by his side, with her hand in his.  She couldn’t rest till she told him how very, very sorry she was for the petulance of the past few days, and especially for the cold rejection of his invitation to accompany him on his drive to Roselands, how firmly resolved never again to give him like cause to be displeased with her, and how dearly she loved him.

But she must refrain, from fear of exciting him:  she must wait till all danger from that was past.

It was hard; yet there was strong consolation in the certainty that his dear love was still hers.  She read it in his eyes, as they gazed fondly into hers; felt it in the tender pressure of his hand; heard it in the tones of his voice, as he called her his “darling, his own precious little wife.”

Yet she was tormented with the fear that his accident had affected his mind and memory for the time, so that he had forgotten the unkindness of the morning; and that, when returning health and vigor should recall the facts to his remembrance, he would again treat her with the coldness and displeasure merited by her behavior.

“But,” she comforted herself, “if he does, it will not last long:  he is sure to forgive and love me as soon as I tell him how sorry I am.”

She did not want to leave him to take either food or rest; but Arthur insisted that she should go down to tea, and later to bed, leaving Edward in his care; and she finally yielded to his persuasions, and exertion of medical authority.

She objected that it was quite useless to go to bed; she was positively sure she could not sleep a wink:  but her head had scarcely touched the pillow before she fell into a profound slumber, for she was quite worn out with anxiety and grief.

It was broad daylight when she woke.  The events of yesterday flashed instantly upon her mind; and she sprang from her bed and began dressing in haste.

She must learn as speedily as possible how Edward was; not worse, surely, for Arthur had promised faithfully to call her at once if there should be any unfavorable change during the night.  Still, a light tap at the door made her start, and turn pale; and she opened it with a trembling hand.

Ella stood there with a bright, smiling countenance.  “Good-morning, coz,” she said gayly.  “I bring you good news,—­two pieces of it.  Ned is almost himself again; Arthur is entirely satisfied that there is no serious injury,—­internal or otherwise; and Miss Deane has already set out for her home, leaving me to give you her adieus.  Now are you not happy?”

“Indeed, indeed I am!” cried Zoe, dancing about the room in ecstasy, her eyes shining, and her cheeks flushing with joy.

“May I go to him at once?” she asked, stopping short, with an eager, questioning look.