Poor Frank began to cry again, and think that he could hardly bear this second trial.  But Mrs. Scott looked cheerful, to his great astonishment, and begged that they would walk up stairs, and see her son, who knew of their arrival, and would be glad to see them.

Frank had mixed feelings as he listened to the invitation.  He longed to see dear Harry, and yet he was afraid of a sick chamber, and pictured it all darkness and distress; and feared that he might hear again such groans and shrieks as George had uttered.

He held his Grandma’s hand quite tight, as he went with her along the hall, and felt disposed to ask her not to go further, when they got to the first landing; but then, remembering that Harry had expressed a wish to see them, he thought it would be selfish and cruel to refuse; and so he walked on bravely, though his little heart went pit-a-pat, and sometimes seemed about to jump into his throat!

But when the door was opened, all his dread had gone!  The room was light and cheerful, the shutters were unclosed, and the blinds were up.  A cheerful fire blazed and crackled, and dear Harry lay beside it on a sofa, looking lovely and lovingly as ever on him!

He put out both his hands to welcome him, and Frank saw that they were very, very, very thin!  Indeed, they looked almost transparent, they were so white, and small, and delicate.  Frank gave a little cough to stop a sob, and stooped down to kiss him tenderly.  But Harry gently put him back, for he knew his cough was coming, caused by the opening of the door.  Long, long it lasted:  the perspiration poured from his pale forehead, and was dried upon his burning cheek; and the phlegm was rattling in his throat, and yet would not come higher, and Frank really feared he would be choked!

But soon the coughing ceased, and, smiling sweetly, he lay awhile quiet and exhausted.  Frank never took his eyes from off his face, and thought it looked more beautiful than ever he had known it; and whilst he stood and wondered what could make him look so calm amidst such suffering, Harry once more opened his sweet soft hazel eyes, and said:—­

“I hope, dear little Frank, I have not frightened you.  I tried to stop my cough on your account, and it made it worse than usual.”

Poor Frank now stooped again to kiss him, but could not restrain his tears another moment, yet kept repeating, “Oh! pray forgive me, Harry!  I do not mean to fret you; but indeed I cannot help it.  Do forgive me; do forgive me, Harry dear!”

It was now Harry’s turn to be affected, and he could scarcely refrain from weeping, with his feeling little friend; but resolutely mastering his emotion, he began:—­

“I asked you up to see me, dearest Frank, not to distress you, but to comfort you, and cheer you, and prepare you for my death, which will very shortly happen.  I know you love me, and will grieve to lose me:  and I feel sorry too, sometimes, to leave all those I love so well—­but then I go to others dearer still, even to God and Jesus, my own own Saviour!”