“Do not let her presence hasten your departure,” said Harry.  “She will be as happy in my company while you are here, as if no third person was present.”

Alfred smiled faintly as he replied:  “Her presence alone does not impel me to leave, but I desire to be alone for a time.  My mind is very much unsettled, and a few moments of solitary thought will restore it to its wonted quietude.”

Rising from his seat, he bade Harry adieu, and bowing to Emma, who entered at the moment, left the house and bent his steps toward his lodgings.  Dr. Humphries had invited him to be a guest at his house, but he politely but firmly declined the invitation, at the same time his days were spent there with his wife, and it was only in the evening he left, to take a few moments of rest.  From the time he discovered his wife, and she was carried to Dr. Humphries’ residence, he had never been to any other place than the doctor’s or his lodgings.

Four days after Harry’s return, he was seated with Emma in the parlor conversing on the subject of his marriage, which the fair girl desired put off until after Mrs. Wentworth’s death, which her father told her could not be postponed many weeks.  Her lover endeavored to combat her resolution, by declaring that while Alfred would always get a furlough if his wife was still alive at the expiration of its time, he could neither ask nor expect to obtain any further extension.  They were in the midst of a warm discussion, when Dr. Humphries entered.  He had just come from Mrs. Wentworth’s room, and appeared exceedingly sad.

“How is Mrs. Wentworth this morning, father?” inquired Emma, as the doctor entered, and observing his mournful expression, she added, “What is the matter.”

“Mrs. Wentworth has recovered her reason, and is dying,” he replied.

“Poor Alfred,” observed Harry, “this hour will not take him by surprise, but it cannot fail to add to his grief.”

“Has he been here this morning,” asked the doctor.

“Not yet,” answered Harry, “but,” he continued, looking at his watch, “he will soon be here, for it is now his usual hour of coming.”

“I trust he will not delay,” said Dr. Humphries “for his wife cannot last three hours longer.”

“In that event, I had better go and look for him,” Harry observed “he never leaves his lodgings except to come here, and there will be no difficulty in finding him.”

Rising from his seat, he took up his hat and departed for his friend.  Before he had gone two squares he met Alfred, and without saying anything to him, retraced his steps to the doctor’s window.

“My friend” said Doctor Humphries as Alfred entered, “the hour has come, when you must summon all your fortitude and hear with resignation the stern decree of the Almighty.  Your wife is perfectly sane this morning but she is dying.  On entering her chamber a while ago, I found her quite composed and perfectly sensible of the life she had passed through.  Though she did not recognize me, an intuitive knowledge of who I was, possessed her, and her first request was that you should be sent to her.  Your little boy is now with her and she awaits your arrival.”