rror at his passionate burst of grief, to soothe him with every
tenderest gesture and with words that were each a caress, till the
convulsion passed away, and calm self-government returned.

Guy did not speak till he could quite control himself; then he said
firmly, but with a sob in his voice still,

"Yet I have killed you!"

"No, no," Constance answered, quickly; "indeed it is not so. A cold
which attacked my chest caused this illness; but they say my lungs were
affected long ago, and that I could hardly have lived many months. You
must think of that, dear; and perhaps it is much better that it should
be so. Life is very hard and difficult, I think, and I should never have
been strong enough to bear my part in it well."

Guy shook his head sadly, as if only half convinced, though he knew she
would not have said an untrue word even to save him from suffering.

"If you could only stay with me--if I could only keep you!" he cried
out, and threw his arms round her, as if their strong clasp would hold
her back one step on the road along which the messengers of God had been
beckoning her for many days past.

"Hush!" Constance whispered; "you must be patient. Yet I like to think
that you will not forget me soon. Now listen--" and she held up her
finger with something of the "old imperial air." "I have something to
ask of you. Will you not like to do it for my sake, even if it is hard?"

He did not answer; but she understood the pressure of his hand, and went
on.

"I have been fearing so much that something terrible will happen between
you and Cyril. He is so passionate and willful, he will not listen to
me, though he loves me dearly, and though I have tried every entreaty I
could think of. (She grew paler than ever, and shuddered visibly.) And
you are not patient, Guy, dear; but you would be this time, would you
not? Only think how it would grieve me if--"

The deep hollow cough that she had tried hard to keep back _would_
break in here.

"You can not doubt me," Guy replied, caressing her fondly: "I promise
that nothing he can say or do shall tempt me to defend myself by word or
deed. How could I, even if you had not asked this? Has he not bitter
cause? Ask me something harder, my own!"

Constance hesitated; then she spoke rapidly, as if afraid to pause when
she had once made up her mind. The lovely color came and flickered for a
moment on her cheek, and then went out again as suddenly.

"I know it is easier fo