"May you not be mistaken?" asked Grace, in a low voice.
"No; he has spoken to me more than once about his love, and in his delirium your name has been constantly upon his lips."
"I did not dream of this," she said; "it distresses me."
"I knew you would sympathize with us," said the poor mother.
"I should like to do more. Tell me--what can I do for you both?"
"I was about to tell you. Are you willing to call on my poor boy, to let him see you once more? A few kind words would do him much good, and perhaps turn the scales in his favor."
"I will go--I will go at once, if you wish me."
"How kind you are! No wonder my poor boy loves you. Oh, Miss Dearborn, I wish you were poor like ourselves, so that Frederic might have some hope of gaining your hand. I know of course it is useless. He is a poor artist--you a rich heiress, and a favorite in society."
Grace did not reply, but speedily made herself ready and accompanied Mrs. Vernon to her lodgings.
They were modest, but no longer humble. As the young artist prospered he took care to remove his mother from the poor home which they had been forced to occupy, and were at present in neat apartments, in a respectable part of the city.
"I will go in and prepare him," said the mother.
[Illustration: "I am sorry to see you so ill, Mr. Vernon," said Grace.]
Grace remained waiting in the outer room till, summoned by Mrs. Vernon, she entered the sick-chamber.
The artist was reclining on the bed, his face thinned, and his eyes unnaturally bright with fever. Over his wasted face there came a look of glad rapture as he saw the one he loved enter the room.
"Grace--Miss Dearborn!" he cried. "This is, indeed, kind. Mother, you did not tell me who had come to see me."
"I am so sorry to see you so ill, Mr. Vernon," said Grace, approaching, with a look of pity on her face. "Why did I not know before that you were ill?"
"I did not know that you would care--much," he said, slowly.
"I do care much; I look upon you as a valued friend."
His eyes fell as he heard these words. Yes, she looked upon him as a friend; but with that he felt he never could be content.
"Thank you," he said; "you were always kind." After a pause, he said:
"Miss Dearborn, I am afraid you would no longer be kind if you knew all."