352 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



pose yourself, and remember I am always within call, if you 

 want, me." 



" Oh, don't go, William," she still whispered. 



" Keep my hand in yours, then, dear child, and I will sit 

 by your bedside, if you will try to sleep ; but you must not 

 speak, or I will leave you." 



Assured now of his presence, which calmed and soothed her 

 troubled brain, she soon relapsed into a sound and refreshing 

 sleep. Beauchamp sat gazing on her flushed face, and felt her 

 burning hand and throbbing pulse. The tears chased each 

 other down his cheek ; and sinking noiselessly on his knees, he 

 prayed long and fervently that God would be pleased to spare 

 her life. " Hear me, O Father of all mercies — hear me ! " he 

 murmured ; " and, of thy infinite goodness, grant that this dear 

 child may be restored to me again ! " when, overcome by 

 emotion, and the excitement and fatigue of the last two days, 

 with his face resting on the bed, he fell fast asleep by her he 

 loved so dearly, his hand still firmly locked in hers. 



Mrs. Gordon, who had been watching Beauchamp' s actions, 

 cautiously approached, and hearing his heavy breathing, whis- 

 pered Constance, " Dear William has fallen asleep in that 

 kneeling posture." 



" Oh, let him alone, aunt ; he is quite worn out, poor fellow, 

 in mind and body." 



For three hours, neither Blanche nor Beauchamp stirred, 

 when Alice softly entered the room, whispering the doctor was 

 coming up-stairs. Mrs. Gordon met him at the door, and 

 placing her finger on her lips, in token of silence, pointed to 

 the bed. The doctor crept on tiptoe to listen to his patient's 

 breathing, and as noiselessly retreating, beckoned Mrs. Gordon 

 out of the room. " That will do, my dear madam, better than 

 all my medicine ; pray don't disturb them." 



Blanche was the first to awake, with all her faculties 

 restored, and great was her astonishment on finding her lover's 

 head resting by her side, in perfect unconsciousness. "Oh, 

 aunt," was her sudden exclamation ; " where am I ? " 



" In your own bed, my dear ; but as you would have 

 William's hand in yours, he has fallen asleep too, and, thank 

 goodness, you have both slept soundly for these last three 

 hours : so now, my love, if you will let him go, it is time you had 

 a cup of tea, and he will not be sorry to have some breakfast." 



From this time her fever began to abate, and in three days 

 Blanche made her appearance once more in the drawing-room, 



