“She had fainted one evening in her husband`s arms, and he had borne her to the open window, to revive her with the air, when the light of the moon falling full upon her face showed him a change upon her features, which made him stagger beneath her weight, like a helpless infant. “ `Set me down, George,` she said faintly. He did so, and seating himself beside her, covered his face with his hands, and burst into tears. “ `It is very hard to leave you, George,` she said, `but it is God`s will, and you must bear it for my sake. Oh! how I thank Him for having taken our boy! He is happy, and in Heaven now. What would he have done here without his mother!`
Rouse yourself
“`You shall not die, Mary, you shall not die!` said the husband, starting up. He paced hurriedly to and fro, striking his head with his clenched fists; then reseating himself beside her, and supporting her in his arms, added more calmly, `Rouse yourself, my dear girl. Pray, pray do. You will revive yet.` “`Never again, George; never again,` said the dying woman. `Let them lay me by my poor boy now, but promise me that if ever you leave this dreadful place, and should grow rich, you will have us removed to some quiet country churchyard, a long, long way off—-very far from here, where we can rest in peace. Dear George, promise me you will.` “ `I do, I do,` said the man throwing himself passionately on his knees before her. `Speak to me, Mary, another word; one look—but one!` “He ceased to speak: for the arm that clasped his neck grew stiff and heavy. A deep sigh escaped from the wasted form before him; the lips moved, and a smile played upon the face; but the lips were pallid, and the smile faded into a rigid and ghastly stare. He was alone in the world. “That night, in the silence and desolation of his miserable room, the wretched man knelt down by the dead body of his wife, and called on God to witness a terrible oath, that from that hour he devoted himself to revenge her death and that of his child; that thenceforth to the last moment of his life, his whole energies should be directed to this one object; that his revenge should be protracted and terrible; that his hatred should be undying and inextinguishable; and should hunt its object through the world.
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