"This is very good of you, Marian," said Ellen. "I never felt the want of some one to talk to and console me, so much as I do to-night."
"You look very pale and ill, Miss," observed the servant: "had you not better retire to rest?"
"Yes," said Ellen. "I wish to struggle against a sense of weariness and oppression which comes over me; and I cannot."
"Heavens, Miss!—if any thing was to happen to you to-night—"
"It cannot be that, Marian; but I feel very, very ill."
Marian aided Miss Monroe to divest herself of her garments; and the young lady retired to her couch.
"How do you feel now, Miss?"
"Alas! I am not better, good Marian. I feel—I feel—"
"My God, Miss! you are about to become a mother this very night. Oh! what is to be done? what is to be done?"
"Save me, save me, Marian—do not suffer me to be exposed!" cried Ellen wildly.