Volume Ii Part 84 (2/2)

”Pity and save my sin-sick soul ?

'Tis thou alone canst make me whole; Dark, till in me thine image s.h.i.+ne, And lost I am, till thou art mine.

”At length I own it cannot be, That I should fit myself for thee, Here now to thee I all resign ?

Thine is the work, and only thine.

”What shall I say thy grace to move?

Lord, I am sin, but thou art love!

I give up every plea beside ?

Lord, I am lost ? but thou hast died!”

They were still again after the voice had ceased ? almost perfectly still ? though tears might be pouring, as indeed they were, from every eye, there was no break to the silence, other than a half-caught sob, now and then, from a kneeling figure, whose head was in Marion's lap.

”Who was that?” said Hugh, when the singer had been silent a minute.

n.o.body answered immediately, and then Mr. Carleton, bending over him, said ?

”Don't you know me, dear Hugh?”

”Is it Mr. Carleton?”

Hugh looked pleased, and clasped both of his hands upon Guy's, which he laid upon his breast. For a second he closed his eyes and was silent.

”Was it you sang?”

”Yes.”

”You never sang for me before,” he remarked.

He was silent again.

”Are you going to take Fleda away?”

”By and by,” said Mr. Carleton, gently.

”Will you take good care of her?”

Mr. Carleton hesitated, and then said, so low that it could reach but one other person's ear ?

”What hand and life can.”

”I know it,” said Hugh. ”I am very glad you will have her. You will not let her tire herself any more.”

Whatever became of Fleda's tears, she had driven them away, and leaning forward, she touched her cheek to his, saying, with a clearness and sweetness of voice that only intensity of feeling could have given her at the moment ?

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