THE QUICK AND THE DEAD When I reached home I found that my grandmother had been looking for me, and Neil Doherty told me the reason.

Word had come from Castle Clody that Miss Champion's cousin was dead.
"You must go to her, Bawn," said my grandmother, sadly.

"We must not leave her alone, and she will not want me.

You will spend the night with her ?" Yes, I would do that, although I shrank from the prospect of death like any other sensitive girl.

It was not likely I would refuse to go to my dear godmother in her hour of need; and I had an unacknowledged hope that she might keep me with her, perhaps, so that I would be free of my lover for a few days.
When she heard that I had come she came down to me where I was standing by the fire in the morning-room warming my hands, for the first frost of the season had come and the night was cold.
"Ah, good child," she said, "to come so quickly! Everything is done, Bawn, and she is at rest.