"My own darling, I forgive you a thousand times—would that I could suffer instead of you."
"If I had not done wrong, I should not so much mind," said Amy, thoughtfully; "but give me a little water, dear."
Mabel held the water to her lips, and Amy looked at her earnestly as her hand trembled.
"Do not cry, Mabel dear," said she, in a feeble voice, "I shall very soon be well again."
And weary with the pain she was bearing, without a murmur, she closed her eyes.
Mabel's restrained tears fell fast, for well she knew that years to come might find her the same helpless invalid as she now lay before her.
The surgeon had given little hope, even in the first moment, when it is seldom withheld; and she threw herself upon her knees, and covered her face with her hands. Amy's fortitude and patience, while it deeply moved her, made her thankful to find that her early lessons had not been bestowed in vain.
Meanwhile Lucy roused herself with a stronger desire to be really useful than she had felt for years. Mrs. Lesly had gone to sit with her two children, so that she required nothing from her. She felt Mabel could not more effectually have forgiven her than by allowing her to assist in her duties, for it prevented her feeling the remorse of the evening before. She ran down stairs with cups and waiters from the sick room, which, if allowed to accumulate, give such real discomfort to the sufferer, and even busied herself in helping Betsy in the kitchen, spite of the sulkiness with which her services were accepted.
But idle habits are not easily thrown aside with the distaste for them; and, as the day wore on, she began to feel so fatigued that she could not think how Mabel managed to do everything she did on ordinary days—when, spite of her desire to please her, she felt her strength fail in a few hours.