"I'm not ill. I was never seriously ill in my life. I am only going distracted. I had an idea you might do something for me."
"The first thing to be done is to quiet your nerves and reduce the fever. Then we will think of other remedies. I will get Flora's little medicine-chest, and see what its resources are."
The morning passed quietly in tending Lady Sackvil, varied by occasional visits to the nursery. It was hard to bear, "but no harder than any thing else would be now," thought Mary. "If I can save this poor soul, it will be worth suffering great as this."
By two o'clock, Amelia was physically more tranquil. Her health had always been excellent, and her temperament, though utterly undisciplined, by no means inclined to morbid excitability.
"I have a note for you," said Mary; "will you read it?"
"From whom?"
"From my husband."
Lady Sackvil shuddered, and turned away.
"Don't give it to me," she said. "Read it, and tell me what it says."
Mary read it through to herself; then, mastering her voice, read aloud the following words: