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Rh bees, whose hives stood in the covert of a large old beech, the only tree not a fruit-tree in the chosen patch of ground. Every sun that set in long shadows and rosy light received from him a more solemn and tender farewell. Every evening wind that passed brought a deeper music:—already the presence of his future and spiritual existence was upon him, and the result was peace, perfect and unutterable.

One evening, he had leant against the entrance of his leafy tent, watching the ebbing crimson that gradually faded on the purple air,-—the serenity of his soul was glassed in his clear bright eyes, while all the warm colours of life seemed to have vanished from that pure and marble countenance. Suddenly, he felt that Francesca withdrew her hand from his—it was to dash aside her tears before he remarked them; and then, for the first time he spoke of that grave upon whose brink he stood.

"Weep not, sweetest sister mine!" said he, kissing away the warm and heavy tears; "if you knew the sorrow from which death spares me! There are some natures which seem sent into this world but for a brief and bitter trial; and such a nature is mine. I have not strength for the struggle. From my earliest youth, I felt despondency