Kneeling beside her, I implored God's mercy for her passing hour, and kissed away the sweat of agony that stood upon her brow.

Suddenly I thought I perceived an effort to speak, and, bending my ear to her lips, she called me by name, and said, 'It is over, my love, it is over; farewell! It has not pleased the Almighty to assuage my dying hour, and I go with the conviction that my child will suffer want and wretchedness on earth!' "I know not what my love inspired me to say in that solemn moment; but I called God to witness that you _should_ escape suffering, and that your life should be happy! A heavenly smile illuminated her eyes, and she believed my promise.

With an effort, she lifted her thin hands once more round my neck and drew my lips to hers.

But soon those wasted arms fell heavily on the bed;--my Margaret was gone;--thy mother was no more!" De Vlierbeck's head fell on his breast.

Lenora's bosom heaved convulsively as she took his hand without uttering a word; and, for a long time, nothing was heard in that sad confessional but the sobs of the maiden and the sighs of her heart-broken father.
"What I have yet to say," continued the poor gentleman, "is not so painful as what I have already told you: it concerns only myself.
Perhaps it would be better if I said nothing about it; but I need a friend who possesses all my confidence and can sympathize with me thoroughly in all I have undergone for the last ten years.
"Listen, then, Lenora.