family physician said, with a tenderness unusual to one whose daily
intercourse was with suffering in its varied forms. "Still, I am
satisfied, that for every month you nurse that babe, a year is taken
from your life."

There was in the tone and manner of the doctor a solemn emphasis,
that instantly aroused the young husband's liveliest fears, and sent
a chill to the heart of Mrs. Beaufort.

For a moment or two, Amanda's thoughts were turned inward, and then
looking up with a smile of strange meaning, while her eyes grew
brighter, and something like a glow kindled upon her thin, pale
cheek, she said, drawing her babe at the same time closer to her
bosom--

"I will risk all, doctor. I cannot forego a mother's duty."

"A mother's duty, my dear young friend," the physician replied, with
increased tenderness, for his heart was touched, "is to prolong, by
every possible means, her own life, for the sake of her offspring.
There are duties which none but a mother can perform. Reserve
yourself for these, Amanda, and let others do for your babe all that
can be done as well as you can perform it. Take my advice. Leave
little Anna at home with your mother and a careful nurse; and then,
with your husband and some female friend, upon whose judicious care
you can rely, go to the Springs and spend a few weeks."

The advice of the physician was taken, and the young mother, with
clinging, though lacerated affections, resigned to the care of a
hired nurse the babe over which her heart yearned with unutterable