Dear George....! am happy now....very, very happy
now, said the poor girl, shutting her eyes and letting two
or three large tears fall upon his locked hands, which
were held hy her as if...*as if... .while her mouth was
pressed to them with a dreadful earnestness, her power
to let them drop was no mnre. And then she appeared
to recollect herself, and her strength appeared to come
back to her, and she rose up and set her lips to his fore-
head with a smile, that was remembered by the rough
jailor to his dying day, so piteous and so death-like was
it, and said to Burroughii, in her mild quiet way — her
mouth trembling and her large tears dropping at every
word — very, very hap^ now, and all ready for death.
I would say more....much more if I might, for I have not
said the half I had to say. Thee will see her....I shall
not see her again....
How —

Not if thee should prevail with her to stay, George.
It would be of no use — it would only grieve her, and
it might unsettle us both —

What can I say to you ?

Nothing — Thee will see her ; and thee will take her
to thy heart as thee did me, and she will be happy — very
happy — even as I am now.
Father — Father I O, why was I not prepared for this !
Do thou stay me— do thou support me — it is more
than I can bear ! cried Burroughs, turning away from
the admirable creature who stood before him trying to



26£ RACHEL DTER.
bear up without his aid, though she shook from head to
foot with uncontrollable emotion.
