"George, do you know me? I am Agnes," said she, in a very soft, but
trembling voice.

He reached his hands along the bed-clothes to take hers, apparently to
ascertain if she and he were still in the flesh, or were spirits of
the other world. There was magic in the warm eager pressure of her
hand, for instantly Harkness appeared to gain his full senses.

"Agnes! Agnes! have you found me? Thank God for this. I am so glad to
see you before I die. It takes the thorn out of my pillow, and puts
felicity into my heart to see you again. I know by this you have
forgiven me."

"Hush, George, there's nothing to forgive. Do not talk, you are too
sick. I have come to nurse you. And, with God's help, you shall soon
be well again. With God's help--there, dear, you are all the world to
me!"

There was an intensity of love in the whispered words that thrilled
George's heart. Agnes's lips touched his ear as the last accents were
breathed, so low that he alone could hear them.

"Thank you, O, my darling, my Angel. Twenty fevers shall not kill me
now," said George, but in a very weak voice.

Brave heart, George! Loving heart, Agnes! But fate willed
otherwise. You were to be united, but not then, not then; not until
you both had crossed the mysterious river which has but one tide, and
that ever flowing in at Eternity's gates, but never returning.