sunk on the ground in a real honest fit.

"I thought I should give it her," said Mr. Brock as he procured a
glass of water; and, lifting her on to a sofa, sprinkled the same
over her. "Hang it! how pretty she is."

* * *

When Mrs. Catherine came to herself again, Brock's tone with her was
kind, and almost feeling. Nor did the poor wench herself indulge in
any subsequent shiverings and hysterics, such as usually follow the
fainting-fits of persons of higher degree. She pressed him for
further explanations, which he gave, and to which she listened with
a great deal of calmness; nor did many tears, sobs, sighs, or
exclamations of sorrow or anger escape from her: only when the
Corporal was taking his leave, and said to her point-blank,--" Well,
Mrs. Catherine, and what do you intend to do?" she did not reply a
word; but gave a look which made him exclaim, on leaving the room,--

"By heavens! the woman means murder! I would not be the Holofernes
to lie by the side of such a Judith as that--not I!" And he went
his way, immersed in deep thought. When the Captain returned at
night, she did not speak to him; and when he swore at her for being
sulky, she only said she had a headache, and was dreadfully ill;
with which excuse Gustavus Adolphus seemed satisfied, and left her
to herself.

He saw her the next morning for a moment: he was going a-shooting.

Catherine had no friend, as is usual in tragedies and romances,--no