Page:Stories after Nature.pdf/105

Rh not let her know it: intending to work upon her by the event; and having spoken to her a long time, and subdued her great spirits, he said gravely to her, "Madam, your mother is dead." And she snatched as it were for breath, as if he had struck her; and falling heavily on his shoulder, wept as though her heart would break. Presently she got up, and wiped her eyes, and said cheerfully, "It is past." And he said, "What?" She replied, "Oh! Edward, what it is for a sinner to become as a little child! I feel all here about my heart, as if a girdle, that would have burst me, were suddenly broken. God! I hope thou wilt forgive me." Edmund said, "Beware, beware; that fiery tongue of thine may find thunder in heaven, for its false invocations. Play not with salvation." She replied, "Rob not thyself of thy reward; believe it not, but thou hast saved my soul."

Then leaving him, she attired herself in black, and putting on a veil of crape, came to him, and said, "Come." He asked her, "Where?" She answered, "Where should a daughter go, that hath a mother dead, but to her bed; and follow her with slow and pained feet to the dark grave? Believe me not; think not you have saved me, but come." She smiled