ion._

The final scene of the tragedy is best stated in the simple but
poignantly pathetic words of the Chaplain, who was permitted to see the
victim a few hours before her death:

"On Monday evening, 11th October, I was admitted by special
passport from the German authorities to the prison of St. Gilles,
where Miss Edith Cavell had been confined for ten weeks. The final
sentence had been given early that afternoon.

"To my astonishment and relief I found my friend perfectly calm and
resigned. But this could not lessen the tenderness and intensity of
feeling on either part during that last interview of almost an
hour.

"Her first words to me were upon a matter concerning herself
personally, but the solemn asseveration which accompanied them was
made expressedly in the light of God and eternity. She then added
that she wished all her friends to know that she willingly gave her
life for her country, and said: 'I have no fear nor shrinking; I
have seen death so often that it is not strange or fearful to me.'
She further said: 'I thank God for this ten weeks' quiet before the
end.' 'Life has always been hurried and full of difficulty.' 'This
time of rest has been a great mercy.' 'They have all been very kind
to me here. But this I would say, standing as I do in view of God
and eternity, I realise that patriotism is not enough. I must have
no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.'

"We partook of the Holy Communion together, and she received the
Gospel message of consolation with all her heart. At the close of
the little service I began to repeat the words 'Abide with me,' and
she joined softly in the end.

"We sat quietly talking until it was time for me to go. She gave me
parting messages for relations and friends. She spoke of her soul's
needs at the moment, and she received the assurance of God's Word
as only the Christian can do.

"Then I said 'Good-bye,' and she smiled and said, 'We shall meet
again.'

"The German military chaplain was with her at the end and
afterwards gave her Christian burial.

"He told me: 'She was brave and bright to the last. She professed
her Christian faith and that she was glad to die for her country.'
'She died like a heroine.'"

It would be interesting to compare these last hours of one of the
noblest women