relation to you--your nephew? Your son, Major Mowbray, is, if I mistake
not, most eager for this union to take place between his sister and his
friend."

"My children have been accustomed to yield implicit obedience to my
wishes," said Mrs. Mowbray, "and Major Mowbray, I am sure, will see the
propriety of the step I am about to take. I am content, at least, to
abide by _his_ opinion."

"Snubbed again!" mentally ejaculated the doctor, with a shrug of
despair. "It is useless attempting to work upon such impracticable
material."

Ranulph remained mute, in an attitude of profound melancholy. An
eloquent interchange of glances had passed between him and Eleanor,
communicating to each the anxious state of the other's feelings.

At this crisis the door was suddenly opened, and old Agnes, Lady
Rookwood's aged attendant, rushed into the room, and sank upon her knees
on the floor, her limbs shaking, her teeth chattering, and every feature
expressive of intense terror. Ranulph went instantly towards her to
demand the cause of her alarm.

"No, let me pray," cried Agnes, as he took her hand in the attempt to
raise her; "let me pray while there is yet time--let the worthy doctor
pray beside me. Pray for an overladen soul, sir; pray heartily, as you
would hope for mercy yourself. Ah! little know the righteous of the
terrors of those that are beyond the pale of mercy. The Lord pardon me
my iniquities, and absolve _her_."

"Whom do you mean?" asked Ranulph, in agitation. "You do not allude to
my mother?"

"You have no longer a mother, young man," said Agnes, solemnly.

"What!" exclaimed Ranulph, terror-stricken; "is she dead?"

"She is gone."

"Gone! How? Whither?" exclaimed all, their amazement increasing each
instant at the terror of the old woman, and the apparently terrible
occasion of it.

"Speak!" exclaimed Ranulph; "but why do I loiter? my mother, perchance,
is dying--let me go."

The old woman maintained her clutching grasp, which was strong and
convulsive as that of one struggling betwixt life and death. "It's of no
use, I tell you; it's all over," said she--"the dead are come--the dead
are come--and she is gone."

"Whither?--whither?"

"To the grave--to the tomb," said Agnes, in a deep and hollow tone, and
with a look that froze Ranulph's soul. "Listen to me, Ranulph Rookwood,
my child, my nursling--listen while I _can_ speak. We were alone, your
mother and I, after that scene between you; after the dark d