Her last hope had failed, and with a heavy, crushing pain in her heart, and a dull, dizzy feeling in her head, she turned to go. As she staggered away a hand was gently placed on her arm, and a mild voice said:
'You are ill, madam; sit down.'
She took the proffered seat, and an old gentleman came out of the inner office.
'What! what's this, David?' he asked. 'What ails the young woman?'
(She was then not quite seventeen.)
'She's ill, sir,' said David.
'Only a little tired, sir; I shall be better soon.'
'But thee is ill, my child; thee looks so. Come here, Kate!' and the old gentleman raised his voice as if speaking to some one in the inner room. The sick girl lifted her eyes, and saw a blue-eyed, golden-haired young woman, not so old as she was.
'She seems very sick, father. Please, David, get me some water;' and the young lady undid the poor girl's bonnet, and bathed her temples with the cool, grateful fluid. After a while the old gentleman asked:
'What brought thee here, young woman?'