Emily entered his chamber in company with the
doctor, on their return from the wood-yard. The sight of Henry, pale and
worn as he appeared, excited all her sympathy. His right arm, which was
uninjured, lay extended on the bed; she gently grasped it, and, bending
over him, imprinted upon his pallid lips a kiss, that was unknown and
unappreciated by its recipient. Only a few days before she had listened
to the eloquent confession of him who now lay insensible of her
presence. She was a true woman, and the presence of Dr. Vaudelier did
not restrain the expression of her woman's heart. It was visible in her
pale cheek, in her heaving breast, and in her sparkling eye, from which
oozed the gentle tear of affectionate sympathy.
She held his hand; unconsciously, at the silent bidding of her warm
heart, she gently pressed it. As though the magnetism of love had
communicated itself to the sleeper, he sighed heavily, and uttered a
groan of half-subdued anguish. His eyelids fluttered; he was apparently
shaking off the heaviness of slumber. His lips quivered, and Emily heard
them faintly articulate her name.
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