little babe into the arms of its nurse, looking up at the same time
so earnestly and appealingly into her mother's face, that Mrs.
Beaufort's heart was touched with unwonted sorrow and tenderness.

"I hope so, Amanda," was replied, but in a tone that, though meant
to encourage, conveyed little hope to the bosom of her child.

"Every time little Anna nurses, I feel so sick and faint, that,
sometimes, it seems that I must give up. And yet the thought of
letting the dear little angel draw her food from another bosom than
mine, makes me fainter and sicker still. Can nothing be done to help
me, ma?"

"We must see the doctor and consult with him. Perhaps he can do
something," Mrs. Beaufort replied, in an abstracted tone.

That day the family physician was called in, and a long consultation
held. The result was, a decision that Amanda must get a nurse for
her child, and then try the effect upon her system of a change of
air and the use of medicinal waters. In a word, she must put away
her child and go to the Springs.

"Indeed, doctor, I cannot give up little Anna," said the invalid
mother, while the tears started to her eyes. "I will be very careful
of myself, and teach her to take a little food early, so as to
relieve me as much as possible. It seems as if it would kill me,
were I forced to resign to a stranger a mother's dearest privilege
and holiest duty."

"I can but honour your devotion to your child, Amanda," the old