Lady Cecil had much to say to her husband during the remaining moments

of her existence; but her breathing became so feeble, that he was

obliged to lean over the couch to catch her words.

"We part, my own, and only beloved husband, for ever in this

world;--fain would I linger yet a little, to recount how much I have

loved you--in our more humble state--in this--oh! how falsely termed our

prosperity. My heart has shared your feelings. In our late bitter

trials, more than half my grief was, that you should suffer. Oh, Robert!

Robert! now, when I am about to leave you and all, for ever--how my

heart clings--I fear, sinfully clings--to the remembrance of our earlier

and purer happiness! My father's house! The noble oak, where the

ring-doves built, and under whose shadow we first met! The stream--where

you and Herbert--wild, but affectionate brother!--Oh! Robert, do not

blame me, nor start so at his name;--his only fault was his devotion to

a most kind master!--but who, that lived under the gentle influence of

Charles Stuart's virtues, could have been aught but devoted?--And yet

what deadly feuds came forth from this affection! Alas! his rich

heritage has brought no blessing with it. I never could look upon these

broad lands as ours--Would that his child had lived--and then--But they

are all gone now--all gone!--Alas! what had we to do with courts, or

courts with us?--Our domestic comforts have been blighted--our hearth

left desolate--the children for whom you toiled, and hoped, and planned,

have been removed from us--nipped in the bud, or the first

blossoming!--And oh, Cecil! take the words of a dying woman to heart,

when she tells you, that you will go down childless to your grave, if

you do not absolve our beloved Constance from her promise to him whom

she can neither respect nor love. She will complete the contract, though

it should be her death-warrant, rather than let it be said a daughter of

the house of Cecil acted dishonourably--she will complete it,

Robert--she will complete it--and then die!"

Lady Cecil, overcome by emotion and exertion, fell back fainting and

exhausted on her pillow. Recovering herself, however, after a brief

pause she added, in a broken whispering voice, "Forgive me, my dear,

dear husband;--my mind is wandering--my thoughts are unconnected--but my

affection for you--for Constance--is strong in death. I mean not to pain

you, but to warn--for the sake of our only child--of the only thing that

remains to tell you of your wife. My breath trembles on my lips--there

is a mist before mine eyes--call her in, that my spirit may depart--may

ascend heavenward on the wings of prayer!--"




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