since the second day of the disease

The Signora Pisani caught the infection, and in a few hours was even in a state more alarming than that of her husband. The Neapolitans, in common with the inhabitants of all warm climates, are apt to become selfish and brutal in their dread of infectious disorders. Gionetta herself pretended to be ill, to avoid the sick-chamber. The whole labour of love and sorrow fell on Viola. It was a terrible trial,— I am willing to hurry over the details. The wife died first! One day, a little before sunset, Pisani woke partially recovered from the delirium which had preyed upon him, with few intervals, since the second day of the disease; and casting about him his dizzy and feeble eyes, he recognised Viola, and smiled. He faltered her name as he rose and stretched his arms. She fell upon his breast, and strove to suppress her tears. “Thy mother?” he said. “Does she sleep?” “She sleeps,— ah, yes!” and the tears gushed forth. “I thought — eh! I know not WHAT I have thought. But do not weep: I shall be well now,— quite well. She will come to me when she wakes,— will she?” Viola could not speak; but she busied herself in pouring forth an anodyne, which she had been directed to give the sufferer as soon as the delirium should cease. The doctor had told her, too, to send for him the instant so important a change should occur. She went to the door and called to the woman who, during Gionetta’s pretended illness, had been induced to supply her place; but the hireling answered not. She flew through the chambers to search for her in vain,— the hireling had caught Gionetta’s fears, and vanished. What was to be done? The case was urgent,— the doctor had declared not a moment should be lost in obtaining his attendance; she must leave her father,— she must go herself! She crept back into the room,— the anodyne seemed already to have taken benign effect; the patient’s eyes were closed, and he breathed regularly, as in sleep. She stole away, threw her veil over her face, and hurried from the house.