Could hireling steps as gently tread
As if a Mother's soul was there?

9.
Enough! 'tis not too late to shun
The bitter draught thyself wouldst fill;
The latest link is not undone
Thy bark is in the haven still.

10.
If doom'd to grief through life thou art,
'Tis thine at least unstain'd to die!
Oh! better break at once thy heart
Than rend it from its holiest tie!


It were vain to attempt describing Emily's feelings when the song ceased.
The scene floated before her eyes indistinct and dark. The violence of
the emotions she attempted to conceal pressed upon her almost to choking.
She rose, looked at Falkland with one look of such anguish and despair
that it froze his very heart, and left the room without uttering a word.
A moment more--they heard a noise--a fall. They rushed out--Emily was
stretched on the ground, apparently lifeless. She had broken a
blood-vessel