That desolating thought which comes
Into men’s happiest hours and homes,
Whose melancholy boding flings
Death’s shadow o’er the brightest things,
Sicklies the maiden’s bloom, and spreads
The grave beneath young lovers’ heads!—Moore.
By the agency of the powerful medicines administered, Erminie’s high excitement was calmed. The beautiful, tossing arms were stilled, and lay lightly resting on the coverlet. The fiery flush died out of her cheeks, the terrible light softened in her eyes, and her lovely face, now-white and motionless as marble, lay reposing in perfect peace upon her pillow.
Elfie watched on one side of her bed, and Catherine on the other.
Major Fielding and Captain Ethel forbore to go out, even for a walk. In their keen anxiety for the patient, and their earnest desire to render assistance should their services be required, they remained in the library, reading or pretending to read, but really listening and watching for every sound and sight that could suggest anything relative to the condition of Erminie.
Dr. Burney came three times in the course of that day.