this house, of which circumstance Agnes, however, was very glad, as
his services were very valuable until she had administered her first
simple remedies to the two patients.

As soon as she could, she thanked the man, and informed him that she
could now get along without him, and that he had better report to the
doctor for assignment to some other house.

He left, and Agnes now commenced her task of peril and unceasing
labor.

The lady whom Sister Theresa had come to nurse was comparatively
quiet. But, strange as it may seem, Theresa herself was extremely
violent at intervals. Yet when in her right mind, she was the sweetest
and gentlest of her sex. Alas! how unlike her natural self was she,
now that reason was dethroned.

All through the long, long, dreary night, Agnes never once closed her
eyes. All night long, too, she never flagged in her devoted attention
to her patients. Minute by minute, instant by instant, inch by inch,
as it were, she battled with the demon fever that held so fiercely the
two sick women in his horrible grasp.

Ah, noble, noble Agnes, when thy soul appears on that final day before
God's judgment-seat on high, how thrice enviable will be thy reward!
What hymns of glorious praise shall heaven's choir chant for thee!

It was nearly day-dawn ere Agnes succeeded in getting the Sister of
Mercy into a somewhat quiet state, and then, completely worn out, she
was herself obliged to seek a little rest. Even her manner of doing