It was only by the exertion of main force that she was separated from it and carried to her own apartment.
There she fell into one of those deadly fainting fits, from which the faithful, affectionate Peggy had so often brought her back to life.
Never shall I forget that awful night.

The cold presence of mortality in its most appalling form, the shadow of my mother's doom that was rolling heavily down upon me with prophetic darkness, the dismal preparations, the hurrying steps echoing so drearily through the midnight gloom; the cold burden of life, the mystery of death, the omnipotence of God, the unfathomableness of Eternity,--all pressed upon me with such a crushing weight, my spirit gasped and fainted beneath the burden.
One moment it seemed that worlds would not tempt me to look again on that shrouded form, so majestic in its dread immobility,--its cold, icy calmness,--then drawn by an awful fascination, I would gaze and gaze as if my straining eyes could penetrate the depths of that abyss, which no sounding line has ever reached.
I saw her laid in her lowly grave.

My mother, too, was there.

Dr.
Harlowe did every thing but command her to remain at home, but she would not stay behind.
"I would follow her to her last home," said she, "if I had to walk barefoot over a path of thorns." Only one sun rose on her unburied form,--its setting rays fell on a mound of freshly heaved sods, where a little while before was a mournful cavity.
Mrs.Linwood sent her beautiful carriage to take us to the churchyard.
Slowly it rolled along behind the shadow of the dark, flapping pall.
Very few beside ourselves were present, so great a panic pervaded the community; and very humble was the position Peggy occupied in the world.
People wondered at the greatness of our grief, for she was _only_ a servant.

They did not know all that she was to us,--how could they?
Even I dreamed not then of the magnitude of our obligations.
I never shall forget the countenance of my mother as she sat leaning from the carriage windows, for she was too feeble to stand during the burial, while I stood with Dr.Harlowe at the head of the grave.