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Rh claim, when age asks from youth but a little time, and a little tendance to smooth the passage to the tomb!"

Both were silent—a pause which was broken by the convent-clock striking nine.

"It is late!" exclaimed Francesca, forcing a smile. "I must not stay here talking of duty—and all my household ones awaiting me; you do not know what an important person I am at home!" but the effort was too much, and dropping her head on Evelyn's arm, she gave way to a burst of weeping.

"Look up, love," at length said her companion; "I would fain link the memory of our parting with something less earthly than word or gift. Do you see yonder large clear star near the moon,—it shines here as I have seen it shine a thousand times in my own island—let it be a token between us. When, dim and cloudy, its place is not seen in the sky—we will be sorrowful, and think even so are we far away and hidden from each other; but when it looks forth rejoicing and glorious, it shall be unto us as a sign and as a hope, and we will believe in a bright future and a fair destiny."

"I shall watch it to-morrow night," whispered Francesca.