CHAPTER XI.
"He's gone--his soul hath ta'en its earthless flight, Whither?
I dread to think--but he is gone!" BYRON.
Mr.Hamilton, though perfectly conscious that his end was rapidly approaching, had scrupulously avoided the subject in the presence of the girls.

One morning, after a night of more than ordinary suffering, he lay quite exhausted.

Death was at hand, and feeling intuitively that the appointed hour had arrived, he requested all to withdraw, save Florence.

When they were alone, he laid his hand on her head, and said, in a low, feeble tone--"Florence, I am going.

I cannot survive this day, and I wish to give you my last advice.