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276 for her in her weakened state, and whispered—

"I have something to ask you, sir, before—I—die!" Her voice failed her on the last words, and he had to wait a little before she gained strength enough to go on. "Will you promise that, when the breath has gone out of my body, you will let me lie here, in the open air, and with your cloak over me, till the morning? Nay, sure, sir," she went on feebly, as Tregenna would have spoken, "you can't refuse me so small a boon!"

She clutched at his hand as she spoke, and held it with a convulsive grip, as he answered her.

"You shall stay here, if you please," said he. "But do not give way. You are young, and strong: you will live yet, I doubt not. I can see no wound upon you that should lead to your death!"

"None the less," said she, as she tried to shake her head, "I shall die. And I am glad of it, since my body, in death, shall lie where I would have it lie, in Heaven's sweet air, and on your ship, yours." She pronounced the last word with inexpressible tenderness, and