said, abruptly, and moved away, as though his work were done.

There was a groan expressive of the sudden and terrible
consciousness which had in it the agony of agonies--the giving up of
all. The gift I had brought fell from my relaxed grasp, and, hiding
my face in the pillow, I gave way to the passionate sorrow of an
undisciplined nature.

When at last I looked up, there was a smile on her lips that no
faintest moan ever displaced again.

A good man and a skilful physician was Dr. H----, but his infirmity
was a love of strong drink; and, therefore, was it that he softened
not the terrible blow which must soon have fallen. I link with his
memory no reproaches now, for all this is away down in the past; and
that foe that sooner or later biteth like a serpent, soon did his
work; but then my breaking heart judged him, hardly. Often yet, for
in all that is saddest memory is faithfulest, I wake suddenly out of
sleep, and live over that first and bitterest sorrow of my life; and
there is no house of gladness in the world that with a whisper will
not echo the moan of lips pale with the kisses of death.

Sometimes, when life is gayest about me, an unseen hand leads me
apart, and opening the door of that still chambers I go in--the
yellow leaves are at my feet again, and that white band between me
and the light.

I see the blue flames quivering and curling close and the
smouldering embers on the hearth. I hear soft footsteps and sobbing
voices and see the clasped hands and placid smile of her who, alone