back, and lay quite unable to assist herself, but faintly asking for water. Sarah replaced her head on the pillow; and, after moistening her lips, hurried into the next room. Georgiana had left her own bed; she was, from a child, timid in the dark, and was laid by her sister, muttering incoherent expressions.
It was a complete but painful picture, the attitude and contrast between the two sisters. Georgiana lay in the common position of a sleeping child, her head cradled upon her arm, her bright golden hair falling over her face, but showing the flushed cheek; while neck, face, even to the temples, were tinged with a faint crimson.
Helen, on the contrary, was laid like one of the monumental figures extended above an ancient tomb, as straight, as rigid. The dark hair swept down on either side in long masses, and left her face exposed, which was wan as marble. The beautifully-cut features seemed thin, even to transparency; and their fixed ghastliness alarmed the girl, who thought, at first, she was dead; but the breathing was quick and painful, and every now and then a spasm convulsed the whole countenance.
In her alarm she called on Mademoiselle Virginie aloud; there was no answer. Sarah felt sure that she had been sent out of the way on purpose, and that the governess was gone.
Her surmise was the truth; Mademoiselle Virginie de Montmorenci had lately formed an acquaint-
