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Rh unnatural whiteness; while on the cheek burnt a rich unvarying crimson. Only the lip was pale. The hand she clasped in hers was feverish, and she could feel the quick throbbing of the veins.

Hiding her face on his shoulder, that he might observe no change of countenance, she was silent for a few minutes—minutes of mental prayer and resolve. Then, though the tears glittered on her long black eyelashes, her voice was steady, and her look almost cheerful. She answered his anxious inquiry: "And yet I am very well in health; but, oh! I have so longed for your return!"

"Are you strong enough to take the place of nurse?"

She looked at him, pale with apprehension.

"My own sister, what have I said to make you lose the little colour you had? It is a stranger you must nurse. But I have a long, long story to tell you;" and they sat down together in the window.

We will shorten a narrative which with them was lengthened and interrupted by repeated exclamations of joy. Every thing else was merged in the happiness of seeing each other again; it was impossible, however their pity might be excited, to fix attention wholly on the affairs of a stranger. Guido had joined company with this Englishman