He was a tall, thoughtful looking man, and bowed with a dignified
air as he came into the room.

"How is Miss Weldon?" asked Florence, with an eagerness he could not
restrain.

"Not so well this morning," replied the guardian. "She had a bad
night."

"No wonder," thought the young man, "after receiving that letter."

"She has been. sleeping, however since daylight," added Colonel
Richards, "and that is much in her favor."

"She received my letter, I presume," said Florence, in a hesitating
voice.

"A letter came for her yesterday," was replied; "but as she was more
indisposed than usual, we did not give it to her."

"It is as well," said the young man, experiencing a sense of relief.

An hour afterwards he was permitted to enter the chamber, where she
lay supported by pillows. One glance at her face dispelled from his
mind every lingering doubt. He had suffered from imaginary fears,
awakened by the whispers of a troubled conscience.