ave of her?"
she cried.

Mrs. Adair drew the veil of her bonnet over her face, as she said,
"taking leave is a trial of all others--" and here she paused; "this is
not of any consequence to you."

"O, my dear mother, we have no earthly hope, no support but yourself;
let my sister's eyes rest for the last time upon the mother she has so
tenderly loved; she will not die in peace unless you are with her."

"My feelings are as irritable as your own," said Mrs. Adair; "leave me
to act according to my own judgment: not another word. Bring Isabella
to me, for the chaise is at the door."

While the ladies were walking with Miss Wilkins, the teacher, Elizabeth
went into her sister's chamber; and at the door met Mrs. Lloyd, the
housekeeper, who had been ordered by Mrs. Adair to explain the motive
of the journey to Jane.

"O, sister," cried Elizabeth, "how could my mother, so considerate and
good as she is, leave you in this state!"

"We cannot tell all her motives," said Jane; "only consider what were my
mother's feelings, when she fixed her eyes upon this poor emaciated
frame, as she supposed, for the last time."

"It was cruelty in the extreme," cried Elizabeth.

"Do no speak rashly, my dear Elizabeth; we will hope--" and her eyes
brightened with an expression of joy, "that all will yet be well; that,
through the mercy of Providence, Mrs. Vincent will be restored to
health, and that I shall be permitted to remain a little longer with
you."

"O, that it were to the day of my own death," exclaimed Elizabeth with
fervency. "There are few persons to whom my heart earnestly inclines,
and I would have them with me through this life, and all eternity."

"My dear sister, these things are not at our disposal. But let us
consider the subject: every night we experience temporary dissolution:
and then we are separated, even as if the hand of death had smitten us;
when we go to rest, we have no positive assurance that we are to open
our eyes again upon the objects of this world; still we project schemes;
calculate upon probable and improbable events; but the entire suspension
of our faculties is never taken into the account. Yet we are ignorant
whether we are to open our eyes on the objects of this world, or that
which is to come. I own I have not any desponding thoughts; I rest alone
upon the mercies and the merits of a suffering and a redeeming Saviour;
he is my sole refuge. To our mother, my conscience acquits me either of
i