WITH A WINE-GLASS. 101

of a maniac. “The doctors say she cannot —
live. When I came home—TI ran up stairs
—to find her —my wife—in flames— they
say she had not rung the bell—TI hear you
were with her a long time —late — tell me
—truly —I can bear anything— when you
left her, was she herself.” |

«When I left: her — she was,” said Peggy
trembling from head to foot.

“¢ What o’clock was that ? ”’ 3

“YT can’t mind now, sir; but it was late.’

“She cannot tell how It happened — that’s
no proof— the agony she suffers must be-
wilder her — but she asked for you.”

Mary was trying to put on Peggy’s bonnet
and shawl, for the old nurse seemed almost.
paralyzed. |

“Come, come,” he repeated. “ And yet
I ‘cannot bear her groans—my darling!
to find a blaze of fire curling over her!
But she was quite herself when you left her—

you are sure of that — quite herself?”