me than her husband could have been during this awful period."
This kind attendant was compelled to leave her for other pressing duties, and she remained silent a long lime, apparently in deep thought, which Isabella believed to have reference to her husband; but in this she was mistaken, as it appeared, for at length Margarita said,
"Did you ever see any person die, dear Margaret?"
"I never did—I have not even beheld a corpse. I was denied when I would have looked upon my father!"
"Yet I cannot forbear entreating you to remain with me, if possible; there will be no struggle, I trust, that would frighten, or eventually injure, you."
"I won't be frightened, dear Margarita—God will support me!"
"He will, my love! and I had rather be quiet, and resign myself into his merciful hands, than have the priests and the women about me, as my dear mother had. Place the little crucifix in my hand, that my latest thought may be of my Redeemer; and lift up your heart to heaven on my behalf, dear Margaret, and kiss my forehead once before you go."
"I will not go, my beloved sister! I will not leave you for a moment!"
There was no reply; and Isabella, sitting down on a low stool, took her left hand, which was very cold, and gently chafed it. She was thus employed when
