anticipations.

At this period it occurred to him to have their portraits drawn, and
on hearing him mention this intention, their young hearts were ecstatic
with delight.

"But, papa," said Agnes, "if you do I have a favor to ask of you."

"Granted, Agnes, if it be possible."

"O, quite possible, papa; it is to get both our portraits painted in
the same frame, for, do you know, I don't think I could feel happy if
Alice's portrait was separated from mine."

"It shall be done, darling--it shall be done."

And it was done, accordingly; for what father could refuse a request
founded upon an affection so tender and beautiful as theirs?

Agnes has now entered her seventeenth year--but how is this? Why does
her cheek begin to get alternately pale and red? And why does the
horizon of the father's heart begin to darken? Alas! it is so--the
spoiler is upon her at last. Appetite is gone--her spirits are gone,
unless in these occasional ebullitions of vivacity which resemble the
lightnings which flash from the cloud that is gathering over her. It
would be painful to dwell minutely upon the history of her illness--upon
her angelic patience and submission to the will of God, and upon the
affection, now consecrated by approaching death into something sacred,
which she exhibited to her father and Alice. The latter was never from
her during the progress of that mournful decline. The poor dying girl