At this moment their knock at the hall-door occasioned her to leap with a sudden start, almost out of her mother's arms. But, all at once, the tumult of that heart ceased, and the vermillion of her cheek changed to the hue of death. With a composure probably more the result of weakness than fortitude, she clasped her hands, and giving a fixed gaze towards the parlor-door, that spoke the resignation of despair, she awaited the tidings of her lover's doom. They both entered, and, after a cautious glance about the room, immediately perceived the situation in which, reclining on her mother's bosom, she lay, ghastly as a corpse, before them.
“Una, dear,” said John, approaching her, “I am afraid you are ill.”
She riveted her eyes upon him, as if she would read his soul, but she could not utter a syllable.
The young man's countenance became overshadowed by a deep and mournful sense of the task he found himself compelled to perform; his voice faltered, and his lips trembled, as—, in a low tone of heartfelt and profound sympathy, he exclaimed:
“Una, dear, you had better go to bed, and let my mother stay with you.” Calmly she heard him, and, rising, she slowly but deliberately left the room, and proceeded up stairs with a degree of steadiness which surprised her mother. The only words she uttered on hearing this blighting communication, were, “Come with me, mother.”
“Una, darling,” said the latter when they had reached the bed-room, “why don't you spake to me? Let me hear your voice, jewel; only let me hear your voice.”
Una stooped and affectionately kissed her, but made no reply for some minutes. She then began to undress, which she did in fits and starts; sometimes pausing, in evident abstraction, for a considerable time, and again resuming the task of preparing for bed.
“Mother,” she at length said, “my heart is as cold as ice; but my brain is burning; feel my temples; how hot they are, and how they beat!”
“I do, alanna dheelish; your body, as well as your mind, is sick; but we'll sind for the doctor, darlin', and you'll soon be betther, I hope.”
“I hope so; and then Connor and I can be married in spite of them. Don't they say, mother, that marriages are made in heaven?”