Carlton--I was expecting the doctor. This
poor girl is very sick; she fainted a while ago. I was very much
alarmed and sent a boy for a physician. She is somewhat better now.
Come in; you may soothe her mind, and possibly do more good than the
medical man."
"Miss Fairleigh? Is it possible I find you here? I thought you were at
the masquerade."
"Heaven bless her, sir," said a woman, arising from a seat beside the
sufferer, whom Mr. Carlton recognized as the woman he had seen enter
Mr. Fairleigh's a few hours before. "But for her care, we should have
suffered beyond endurance. She has comforted mind and body. Yes, when
evil tongues whispered of shame! her pure heart did not fear, or
shrink from us. When employers and friends deserted and condemned, she
stayed and consoled."
"Hush! She has fainted again. Oh! why does not the doctor come?" said
Valeria.
"Thank Heaven! Here he is now."
Mr. Carlton approached the physician (an old acquaintance), and
explained to him as well as he could the trouble. The kind-hearted
doctor raised the poor, thin hand, felt the feeble pulse, and,
turning, answered the anxious, inquiring looks bent on him:
"It is only a swoon; yet she is very weak.
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