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to be taken away from him? Why did I not remain, in spite of the doctor's prohibition? I shall never hear him speak my name again. If 1 could only hear him breathe! -if I could but see him move, and know that he is yet alive! O, God! how can I bear this terrible suspense? If he should die, O, Father of mercies, let me die with him! Why is it that thou dost implant these deathless affections in our hearts, and then snatch away from us the beings whom thou thyself hast bidden us to love? O! this sorrow is greater than I can bear!”

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Tears blessed tears at last came to her relief, and Amy's soul grew more calm. All was still in the house, save the occasional, careful step of some one of the nurses, upon some errand for her patient. Now, for the first time, Amy heard, near by, the slow, solemn roar of the eternal waves of ocean. As she listened, the sound seemed to come nearer and nearer; and the tumult in her heart grew calmer and calmer, as the thought of that great Being, whose voice can still the restless tide of human passions, resumed its place in her mind. She approached the window. The distant spires of the citythe green islands, looking like emeralds, decking the bosom of the deep the countless white sails the blue, trembling waves of the glad

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the piles of fleecy clouds all were bathed in a rich flood of golden light from the setting sun. There was a fulness of life magnificence of beauty, and grandeur, and loveliness, spread before her, that seemed to Amy's soul like a new revelation of the love of God.

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Surely," said Amy, "he does not willingly afflict us. As a father pitieth his children, so pitieth he us. Shall I fear Him who is all love? Did not he, who walked upon the tossing billows of the sea, pass erect, also, over the troubled waves of sorrow and suffering in this mortal life? Did he not say, 'Be not afraid?' Are not our affections more enduring, more deep and boundless, than this wide, unfathomed sea, or these illimitable skies? Is not the true heart every moment declaring its own immortality? Can the circumstance of what we call death destroy it? Did we not know, when we first loved, that the sword of separation must enter every heart? but we thought not so soon. Yet, what is soon or late, when eternity is the question? Still, it is bitter to part now. May I not pray as Jesus prayed,If it be possible, let this cup pass from me'?"

As Amy was thus communing with God and her own soul, her eyes fixed upon the glorious scene which first attracted her attention; the sun

light gradually died away; and then came on the soft, gray twilight, till the stars, one after another, seemed to open their bright eyes upon the quiet waters, and

"The moon, at length, apparent queen,

Unveiled her peerless light, and o'er the dark
Her silver mantle threw."

All rebellious feelings were rebuked in Amy's heart, and a holy trust and a quiet submission had taken their place, when she was startled by hearing a knock at her door. It was the matron of the hospital, who had come to invite her to join her at her evening meal. She added, that the doctor was to take tea with her, and then would tell her what he thought of Mr. Selmar's present state. They had been trying some other remedies, from which he hoped some good effects.

“Whoever comes to a hospital, miss," said the matron, "must keep up a good heart, and take care of herself, or she will soon be one of the patients. Many get well who are as sick as Mr. Selmar. He is young, and the chances are in his favor."

Amy saw that it was, in fact, pity for her, that induced the good matron to assume a sort of

roughness of manner, which she thought would help her guest to endure the trial that awaited her. She also read, in the tender respect of the doctor's manner, and compassionate tone of his voice, an indication of his fears lest the sorrow she dreaded would fall upon her.

"If," said the doctor, "the remedies we apply to-night should be successful, and if his constitution is strong enough to carry him through a few more hours of suffering, I shall feel sanguine of his recovery."

He urged Miss Weston to try to take some rest, and promised to send her word by the nurse, during the night, how his patient was. With this promise, Amy returned to her room. Much did she suffer during those dark hours; but, as she sat all night long, looking up at the glowing heavens, and listening to the perpetual hymn of the waves, hope and peace settled more deeply and permanently in the recesses of her soul. The spirit of resignation seemed to descend upon her from the silent skies. It was past midnight, when she heard a footstep approaching her room. She quickly opened the door. It was

the matron.

"I thought," said the good lady, "that, as you were so anxious, I would come and tell you about the gentleman myself, as I was up, and

had been in to see him. He is rather better, and the doctor says every thing seems more favorable, though he cannot say he is out of danger yet. Now, dear, do go to bed. He'll get well, I dare

say."

The next news was at daylight, and was still more encouraging; and in the morning, at breakfast, the doctor pronounced him decidedly better.

"I think," said the doctor, "that I might venture, in the course of this morning, to let Mr. Selmar know you are here, and even to let you see him, if you could be very calm and judicious."

"I am sure I could," said Amy.

fear for my good behavior."

"Have no

The doctor said that he had left him asleep, and that he would let him know she was there when he awoke, if he should be really better.

"You are better," said the doctor to Mr. Selmar, when he awoke.

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"O, yes,” he replied; "I am myself again." "Not quite," said the doctor. "It will be a long while before you are well. The captain of your vessel has informed your friends in Boston that you were detained here by illness."

A faint color overspread Edward's face, and passed instantly away, as the doctor said this.

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