But, strange as it may seem, Theresa herself was extremely
violent at intervals. Yet when in her right mind, she was the sweetest
and gentlest of her sex. Alas! how unlike her natural self was she,
now that reason was dethroned.
All through the long, long, dreary night, Agnes never once closed her
eyes. All night long, too, she never flagged in her devoted attention
to her patients. Minute by minute, instant by instant, inch by inch,
as it were, she battled with the demon fever that held so fiercely the
two sick women in his horrible grasp.
Ah, noble, noble Agnes, when thy soul appears on that final day before
God's judgment-seat on high, how thrice enviable will be thy reward!
What hymns of glorious praise shall heaven's choir chant for thee!
It was nearly day-dawn ere Agnes succeeded in getting the Sister of
Mercy into a somewhat quiet state, and then, completely worn out, she
was herself obliged to seek a little rest. Even her manner of doing
this showed how little she dreaded the pestilence, for, instead of
going to another room, she lifted Theresa further over in the bed, and
laying herself down beside her, placed her arm over her, kindly,
lovingly, so that if she should chance to move, though never so
slightly, it would awaken her.
Uttering a prayer, first for her patients, and then for herself, Agnes
fell at once into a light but refreshing slumber, from which, however,
she awakened at about the proper time to administer another dose of
medicine.
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