"
"Jacquelina, it means death."
"Oh, no! No, no! No, no! Not so! There's Miss Nancy Skamp has had a
cough every winter ever since I knew her, and she's not dead nor likely
to die, and you will be well in the spring," said the girl, changing
color; and faltering in spite of herself.
"I shall never see another spring, my child--"
"Oh, mother! don't! don't say so. You--"
"Hear me out, my dear; I shall never live to see another spring unless I
can have a quiet life with peace of mind. These symptoms, my child, mean
death, sooner or later. My life may be protracted for many years, if I
can live in peace and comfort; but if I must suffer privation, want and
anxiety, I cannot survive many months, Jacquelina."
The poor girl was deadly pale; she started up and walked the floor in a
distracted manner, crying:
"What shall I do! Oh! what shall I do?"
"It is very plain what you shall do, my child. You must marry Dr.
Grimshaw. Come, my dear, be reasonable. If I did not think it best for
your happiness and prosperity, I would not urge it."
"Mimmy, don't talk any longer, dear!" Jacquelina interrupted. "There's a
bright spot on your cheek now, and your fever will rise again, even this
morning.
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