Three persons were alone in a chamber, the furniture of which, though neither elegant nor costly, evinced taste and refinement.

Lying upon a bed was a man, evidently near the time of his departure from earth.

By his side, and bending over him, was a woman almost as pale as himself.

A little girl, not above five years of age, sat on the foot of the bed, with her eyes fixed on the countenance of her father, for such was the relation borne to her by the sick man.
A lovely creature she was--beautiful even beyond the common beauty of childhood.

For a time a solemn stillness reigned through the chamber.
A few low-spoken words had passed between the parents of the child, and then, for a brief period, all was deep, oppressive silence.