“I can but honour your devotion to your child, Amanda,” the old family physician said, with a tenderness unusual to one whose daily intercourse was with suffering in its varied forms.  “Still, I am satisfied, that for every month you nurse that babe, a year is taken from your life.”

There was in the tone and manner of the doctor a solemn emphasis, that instantly aroused the young husband’s liveliest fears, and sent a chill to the heart of Mrs. Beaufort.

For a moment or two, Amanda’s thoughts were turned inward, and then looking up with a smile of strange meaning, while her eyes grew brighter, and something like a glow kindled upon her thin, pale cheek, she said, drawing her babe at the same time closer to her bosom—­

“I will risk all, doctor.  I cannot forego a mother’s duty.”

“A mother’s duty, my dear young friend,” the physician replied, with increased tenderness, for his heart was touched, “is to prolong, by every possible means, her own life, for the sake of her offspring.  There are duties which none but a mother can perform.  Reserve yourself for these, Amanda, and let others do for your babe all that can be done as well as you can perform it.  Take my advice.  Leave little Anna at home with your mother and a careful nurse; and then, with your husband and some female friend, upon whose judicious care you can rely, go to the Springs and spend a few weeks.”

The advice of the physician was taken, and the young mother, with clinging, though lacerated affections, resigned to the care of a hired nurse the babe over which her heart yearned with unutterable tenderness.

Three weeks were spent at one of the Virginia springs, but little apparent benefit was the result.  The young mother grieved for the loss of her babe so deeply and constantly, often giving way to tears, that the renovating effects of changed air and medicinal waters were counteracted, and she returned home, drooping in body and depressed in spirits.  Her infant seemed but half restored to her, as she clasped it to a bosom in which the current of its young life had been dried up.  Sad, sad indeed was her realization of the immutable truth, that the way of transgressors is hard!

Two years more of a painful and anxious existence were eked out, and Amanda again became a mother.

From this additional shock she partially recovered; but it soon became evident to all, that her shattered and enfeebled constitution was rapidly giving way.  Her last babe was but four months old, when the pale messenger passed by, and gave his fearful summons.