Then the rector said he wished to speak to her alone.

He held a letter in his hands, and his face was as pale as death.

She looked up at him and said, quickly: "Is it bad news ?" "Yes," he answered, gravely; "it is very bad news.

Laura, go away and leave your mother with me." But my mother clung to me.
"No, if I have anything to suffer," she cried, "let Laura stay with me--I can bear anything with her." "Let me stay ?" I asked.
He covered his face with his hands, and was silent for some minutes.

I wonder if he was praying Heaven to give him strength--he had to give my mother her death blow.