It was an anxious period of suspense until the medical attendant arrived from Southport.  Fortunately he was one in whom, from reputation, Lady Annabel was disposed to place great trust; and his matured years, his thoughtful manner, and acute inquiries, confirmed her favourable opinion of him.  All that Mr. Hawkins could say, however, was, that Miss Herbert had a great deal of fever, but the cause was concealed, and the suddenness of the attack perplexed him.  He administered one of the usual remedies; and after an hour had elapsed, and no favourable change occurring, he blooded her.  He quitted Cherbury, with the promise of returning late in the evening, having several patients whom he was obliged to visit.

The night drew on; the chamber was now quite closed, but Lady Annabel never quitted it.  She sat reading, removed from her daughter, that her presence might not disturb her, for Venetia seemed inclined to sleep.  Suddenly Venetia spoke; but she said only one word, ‘Father!’

Lady Annabel started; her book nearly fell from her hand; she grew very pale.  Quite breathless, she listened, and again Venetia spoke, and again called upon her father.  Now, with a great effort, Lady Annabel stole on tiptoe to the bedside of her daughter.  Venetia was lying on her back, her eyes were closed, her lips still as it were quivering with the strange word they had dared to pronounce.  Again her voice sounded; she chanted, in an unearthly voice, verses.  The perspiration stood in large drops on the pallid forehead of the mother as she listened.  Still Venetia proceeded; and Lady Annabel, throwing herself on her knees, held up her hands to Heaven in an agony of astonishment, terror, and devotion.

Now there was again silence; but her mother remained apparently buried in prayer.  Again Venetia spoke; again she repeated the mysterious stanzas.  With convulsive agony her mother listened to every fatal line that she unconsciously pronounced.

The secret was then discovered.  Yes!  Venetia must have penetrated the long-closed chamber; all the labours of years had in a moment been subverted; Venetia had discovered her parent, and the effects of the discovery might, perhaps, be her death.  Then it was that Lady Annabel, in the torture of her mind, poured forth her supplications that the life or the heart of her child might never be lost to her, ’Grant, O merciful God!’ she exclaimed, ’that this sole hope of my being may be spared to me.  Grant, if she be spared, that she may never desert her mother!  And for him, of whom she has heard this day for the first time, let him be to her as if he were no more!  May she never learn that he lives!  May she never comprehend the secret agony of her mother’s life!  Save her, O God! save her from his fatal, his irresistible influence!  May she remain pure and virtuous as she has yet lived!  May she remain true to thee, and true to thy servant, who now bows before thee!  Look down upon me at this moment with gracious mercy; turn to me my daughter’s heart; and, if it be my dark doom to be in this world a widow, though a wife, add not to this bitterness that I shall prove a mother without a child!’