Lucy left us with these ominous notices, and I felt the necessity of going on the lawn for air.  I walked my half-hour out, and returned to the house in time to be punctual to the appointment.  Chloe met me at the door, and led the way in silence towards the family room.  Her hand was no sooner laid on the latch than Lucy appeared, beckoning me to enter.  I found Grace reclining on that small settee, or causeuse, on which we had held our first interview, looking pallid and uneasy, but still looking lovely and as ethereal as ever.  She held out a hand affectionately, and then I saw her glance towards Lucy, as if asking to be left with me alone.  As for myself, I could not speak.  Taking my old place, I drew my sister’s head on my bosom, and sat holding it in silence for many painful minutes.  In that position I could conceal the tears which forced themselves from my eyes, it exceeding all my powers to repress these evidences of human grief.  As I took my place, the figure of Lucy disappeared, and the door closed.

I never knew how long a time Grace and I continued in that tender attitude.  I was not in a state of mind to note such a fact, and have since striven hard to forget most that occurred in that solemn interview.  After a lapse of so many years, however, I find memory painfully accurate on all the leading circumstances, though it was impossible to recall a point of which I took no heed at the moment.  Such things only as made an impression is it in my power to relate.

When Grace gently, and I might add faintly, raised herself from my bosom, she turned on me eyes that were filled with a kind anxiety on my account rather than on her own.

“Brother,” she said, earnestly, “the will of God must be submitted to—­I am very, very ill—­broken in pieces—­I grow weaker every hour.  It is not right to conceal such a truth from ourselves, or from each other.”

I made no reply, although she evidently paused to give me an opportunity to speak.  I could not have uttered a syllable to have saved my life.  The pause was impressive, rather than long.

“I have sent for you, dearest Miles,” my sister continued, “not that I think it probable I shall be called away soon or suddenly—­God will spare me for a little while, I humbly trust, in order to temper the blow to those I love; but he is about to call me to him, and we must all be prepared for it; you, and dear, dear Lucy, and my beloved guardian, as well as myself.  I have not sent for you even to tell you this; for Lucy gives me reason to believe you expect the separation; but I wish to speak to you on a subject that is very near my heart, while I have strength and fortitude to speak on it at all.  Promise me, dearest, to be calm, and to listen patiently.”

“Your slightest wish will be a law to me, beloved, most precious sister; I shall listen as if we were in our days of childish confidence and happiness—­though I fear those days are never to return!”