There was no answer returned for some time, and on looking at him more
earnestly, she was astonished to find that he had sank into a profound
slumber. "Guilt," thought she, "is not there!" and her resolution was
taken instantly--she would not wake him--she would not let him know her
purpose--and if she succeeded, her eyes flashed through her tears at
the anticipation of his rapturous surprise. Stooping lower, she gently
pressed her lips to his; and kneeling beside his bed, poured forth a
short but fervent prayer to Him in whom alone we can put our trust--"In
whose hand is the soul of every living-thing, and the breath of all
mankind"--"Who preserveth not the life of the wicked, but giveth right
to the poor." There was something exceedingly and touchingly beautiful
in the attitude of that young wife--her hands clasped, her lips moving
with her prayer, like rose-leaves with the evening breeze, and her
upturned face, with its holy and deep religious expression. Having
concluded her fervent petition, she noiselessly arose, and giving her
sleeping husband one long and lingering look of affection, that death
could not estrange, she silently glided from the cell.

On the third night from the events which we have narrated, a poor
woman was observed wending her toilsome way through the streets of the
metropolis. Her appearance bespoke fatigue and long travel; and as she
neared the Upper Castle gate, she had to lean against the railing for
support. The lamps were lighted, carriages rolling to and fro, and all
the buzz of life was ringing in her ears; but, oh! from the expression
of pain and suffering in her face, and the shrinking with which she
surveyed the sentinels pacing up and down, it was evident that her mind
but little accorded with the scenes by which she was surrounded. She
slowly and fearfully entered the wide court-yard--a flood of light was
streaming from the windows of the vice-regal dwelling, and a crowd of