"What o'clock is it?" she inquired.
"Near seven."
"I am very sleepy. I could sleep, if you would promise to continue holding my hand, and would not leave me."
I placed myself close to my sister, with her cold damp hand clasped between both of mine.
"I am near you, always, dearest," said I. "Sleeping or waking, I shall never leave you more." Fanny threw her arms once more round my neck, and with a convulsive last effort pressed me to her heart.
"May the Almighty for ever bless you!" said she, and, sinking back on her pillow, a gentle sleep stole on her senses. I watched her lovely countenance with breathless anxiety.
In less than an hour poor Fanny opened her eyes and fixed them on me with a bright smile, expressive of the purest happiness.
"I am quite well," said Fanny, in a tone of great animation.
Again her eyes closed and her breathing became shorter.
Suddenly, a slight convulsion of the upper lip induced me to place my trembling hand on my sister's heart.