die if 'tis not granted to us; and then we kneel and kneel and believe,
because we _must_ have somewhat to ask help from."

"But all help has been given to you," poor tender Anne said, kissing her
hand again; "and I will pray, I will pray--"

"Ay, pray, Anne, pray with all thy soul," Clorinda answered; "I need thy
praying--and thou didst believe always, and have asked so little that has
been given thee."

"Thou wast given me, sister," said Anne. "Thou hast given me a home and
kindness such as I never dared to hope; thou hast been like a great star
to me--I have had none other, and I thank Heaven on my knees each night
for the brightness my star has shed on me."

"Poor Anne, dear Anne!" Clorinda said, laying her arms about her and
kissing her. "Pray for thy star, good, tender Anne, that its light may
not be quenched." Then with a sudden movement her hand was pressed upon
her bosom again. "Ah, Anne," she cried, and in the music of her voice,
agony itself was ringing--"Anne, there is but one thing on this earth God
rules over--but one thing that belongs--_belongs_ to me; and 'tis Gerald
Mertoun--and he is mine and _shall_ not be taken from me, for he is a
part of me, and I a part of him!"

"He will not be," said Anne--"he will not."

"He cannot," Clorinda answered--"he shall not! 'Twould not be human."

She drew a long breath and was calm again.