Godolphin sat by the writing-table of the deceased, shading his brow with
the hand which the actress left disengaged.

"Fanny," said he, bitterly, after a pause, "the world is indeed a stage.
It has lost a consummate actor, though in a small part."

The saying was wrung from Godolphin--and was not said unkindly, though it
seemed so--for he too had tears in his eyes.

"Ah," said she, the play-house has indeed taught us, in our youth, many
things which the real world could not teach us better."

"Life differs from the play only in this," said Godolphin, some time
afterwards; "it has no plot--all is vague, desultory, unconnected--till
the curtain drops with the mystery unsolved."

Those were the last words that Godolphin ever addressed to the actress.

CHAPTER LXVI.

THE JOURNEY AND THE SURPRISE.--A WALK IN THE SUMMER NIGHT.--THE STARS AND
THE ASSOCIATION THAT MEMORY MAKES WITH NATURE.

This event detained Godolphin some days longer in town. He saw the last
rites performed to Saville, and he was present at the opening of the will.

As in life Saville had never lent a helping hand to the distressed, as he
had mixed with the wealthy only, so now to the wealthy only was his wealth
devoted. The rich Godolphin was his principal heir; not a word was even