“Ellen,” murmured the dying lady, “come nearer to me.  It is growing dark, and I cannot see you plainly.  Now, then, read to me, beginning at the verse you finished with, as good Dr. Curteis entered.  Ay,” she faintly whispered, “it is thus, Ellen, with thy hand clasped in mine, and with the words of the holy book sounding from thy dear lips, that I would pass away!”

Ellen, interrupted only by her blinding tears, making sad stops, complied.  Twilight stole on, and threw its shadow over the solemn scene, deepening its holiness of sorrow.  Night came with all her train; and the silver radiance kissed into ethereal beauty the pale face of the weeping girl, still pursuing her sad and sacred task.  We hesitated to disturb, by the slightest movement the repose of a death-bed over which belief and hope, those only potent ministers, shed light and calm!  At length Dr. Curteis advanced gently towards the bed, and taking the daughter’s hand, said in a low voice, “Had you not better retire, my dear young lady, for a few moments?” She understood him, and rising from her knees, threw herself in an ecstacy of grief upon the corpse, from which the spirit had just passed away.  Assistance was summoned, and the sobbing girl was borne from the chamber.

I descended, full of emotion, to the library, where Dr. Curteis promised shortly to join me.  Noiselessly entering the room, I came suddenly upon the housekeeper and a tall young man, standing with their backs towards me in the recesses of one of the windows, and partly shrouded by the heavy cloth curtains.  They were evidently in earnest conference, and several words, the significance of which did not at the moment strike me, reached my ears before they perceived my approach.  The instant they did so, they turned hastily round, and eyed me with an expression of flurried alarm, which at the time surprised me not a little.  “All is over, Mrs. Bourdon,” said I, finding she did not speak; “and your presence is probably needed by Miss Armitage.”  A flash of intelligence, as I spoke, passed between the pair; but whether indicative of grief or joy, so momentary was the glance, I should have been puzzled to determine.  The housekeeper immediately left the room, keeping her eyes, as she passed, fixed upon me with the same nervous apprehensive look which had before irritated Dr. Curteis.  The young man followed more slowly.  He was a tall and rather handsome youth, apparently about one or two-and-twenty years of age.  His hair was black as jet, and his dark eyes were of singular brilliancy; but the expression, I thought, was scarcely a refined or highly-intellectual one.  His resemblance to Mrs. Bourdon, whose son indeed he was, was very striking.  He bowed slightly, but courteously, as to an equal, as he closed the door, and I was left to the undisturbed enjoyment of my own reflections, which, ill-defined and indistinct as they were, were anything but pleasant company.  My reverie was at length interrupted by the entrance of the doctor, with the announcement that the carriage was in waiting to re-convey us to town.