Whether we live, or whether we die, we shall be better for doing that.' Katie still held her mother's hand in hers, and lay back against the pillows which had been placed behind her back.

'And now, mamma,' she said at last, 'I am going to ask you this favour--I want to see Charley once more.' Mrs.Woodward was so much astonished at the request that at first she knew not what answer to make.

'To see Charley!' she said at last.
'Yes, mamma; I want to see Charley once more; there need be no secrets between us now, mamma.' 'There have never been any secrets between us,' said Mrs.
Woodward, embracing her.

'You have never had any secrets from me ?' 'Not intentionally, mamma; I have never meant to keep anything secret from you.

And I know you have known what I felt about Charley.' 'I know that you have behaved like an angel, my child; I know your want of selfishness, your devotion to others, has been such as to shame me; I know your conduct has been perfect: oh, my Katie, I have understood it, and I have so loved you, so admired you.' Katie smiled through her tears as she returned her mother's embrace.