Page:Traits and Trials.pdf/217

Rh "Compose yourself, my dearest girl," said Mrs. Cameron, "your mother has sent for you home, I grieve to say your Father"the unfinished sentence died on her lips.

"He is ill, for God's sake, do not let us lose a moment, I shall be ready in an instant." She flew out of the room, and with a trembling hand Mrs. Cameron rang the bell, and desired one of the teachers to go and render Miss Beaumont all possible assistance. Then, pouring out a glass of wine which she made the servant drink, she gathered from her a more distinct account of the circumstances which led to this sudden summons. Mr. Beaumont was no more. He had been found in his library, before a table covered with papers, among which he had seemed busily engaged. The butler, who went to call him to breakfast, found his master dead. Mrs. Beaumont was in a state of distraction. Her only intelligible words were those which asked for her daughter Fanny, and the woman had of her own accord, or rather after a consultation with her