Part 17 (2/2)

she exclaih, I raised uid eyes, and turned them mournfully towards her)--'she lives!--My Emma!--child of my affections!'--sobs suppressed her utterance I drew the hand, which held mine, towards me--I pressed it to my bosom--'_My mother!_'--I would have said; but the tender appellation died away upon les were followed by a return of my disorder Mrs Harley would scarcely be persuaded to quit my chamber for a th;--but these exertions accelerated the progress of an internal round, and gradually underood constitution, aided by the kind solicitudes of friendshi+p, restored me, in a feeeks, to a state of convalescence

I observed the declining strength of h involuntarily, added to these alarues and anxieties which I had occasioned her Affection inspired ies, that reason had vainly dictated I struggled to subdue s, in exerting myself to fulfil the duties of humanity My mind assumed a firmer tone--I became, once more, the cheerful companion, the tender consoler, the attentive nurse, of this excellent woman, to whose kindness I was so much indebted--and, if I stole a few aze on the reseustus, to weep over the testimonies of his former respect and friendshi+p, I quickly chased from my bosom, and my countenance, every trace of sadness, when summoned to attend my friend

CHAPTER XIV

The winter came on severe and cold Mrs Harley was forbidden to expose herself to the frosty air, which seeuid frame

I was constituted her al poor the scanty portion, which she was enabled, by a rigid oeconomy, to spare from her little income: yet the value of this distribution had been entler charities of kind accents, tender syent, but industrious, cottagers, I studied to be the worthy representative of their arateful attachrees, she ventured to converse with me on the subject nearest her heart--the situation of her son He had been obliged to yield to the proofs produced of hisHe had written, with reserve, upon the subject to his mother; but, from the enquiries of a coement had been of an imprudent nature Two children, were, already the fruits of it: the mother, with a feminine helplessness of character, had a feeble constitution The sinally shared with his fareatly reduced His education and habits had unfitted hi family necessarily required:--his spirits (her friend had informed her) seemed broken, and his temper soured Some efforts had been made to serve him, which his lofty spirit had repelled with disdain

This narration deeply affected ned , I felt, was an evil infinitely severer It was this conviction that preyed incessantly on the peace and health of his mother My fortitude failed, when I would have tried to sustain her; and I could only afford themy sorroith her's

The disorder of my friend rapidly increased--her s ard and irritable I watched her incessantly--I strove, by every alleviating care, to soften her pains Towards the approach of spring the syed, by her physician, necessary to apprize her faer What a trial forhand, a line to this h hier brothers and sisters

In a few days they arrived in the village--sending from the inn a servant, to prepare their ently intiht expect The previous evening, a change had taken place, which indicated approaching dissolution; and her mind (not uncommon in similar cases) seemed, alinal strength She sighed deeply, while her eyes, which were fixed wistfully on ht, but transient, lustre

'My dear E moment for us both I shall soon close my eyes, for ever, upon all worldly cares--Still cherish, in your pure and ingenuousof my soul! He may, in future, stand in need of consolation I had formed hopes--vain hopes!--in which you and he were equally concerned

In the happiness of this partially-favoured child--this idol of my affections--all mine was concentrated He has disappointed --Yet, he has noble qualities!--Who, alas!

is perfect? Summon your fortitude, collect your powers, my child, for this interview!'

She sunk on her pillow--I answered her only with my tears A servant entered--but spoke not--her look announced her tidings--It caught the eye of Mrs Harley--

'Let them enter,' said she; and she raised herself, to receive them, and assumed an aspect of composure

I covered my face withthe bed--I heard the ustus, in low and interrupted accents, struck upon h my nerves--I shuddered, involuntarily--What a moment!

My friend spoke a feords, in a faint tone

'My children,' she added, 'repay to this dear girl,' laying her hand upon mine, 'the debt of kindness I owe her--she has smoothed the pillow of death--she is an orphan--she is tender and unfortunate'

I ventured to remove for a ustus--he was kneeling by the bed-side--his countenance an, and every feature sunk in dejection; a shi+vering crept through my veins, and chilled my heart with a sensation of icy coldness--he re mother

'My son,' she resumed, in still fainter accents, 'behold in Emma, your sister--_your friend!_--confide in her--she is worthy of your confidence!'--'Will you not love hi upon me,)--'with a sisterly affection?'

I hid my face upon the pillow of my friend--I threw my arms around her--'Your request is superfluous, my friend, ive , in these parting moments, to the predominant affection of my heart--I fear, I have wounded that tender nature' 'Farewell, ustus, where is your hand?--ht fails me--God bless you and your little ones--_God bless you all_!--My last sigh--my last prayer--is yours'

Exhausted by these efforts, she fainted--Augustus uttered a deep groan, and raised her in his arms--but life was fled

At the remembrance of these scenes, even at this period, my heart is ic in the e upon theles with our tears a sad and sublime rapture? Nature, that has infused so much misery into the cup of huredient to qualify the bitter draught