; but I think I may answer for woman in the abstract."

"I will follow you in an hour, Hope."

"Do so. Now, madam."

And Hope followed Mrs Rowland again to the bedside of her dying child.

CHAPTER FORTY FIVE.

REST OF THE PLACABLE.

Margaret was not at Mrs Howell's at the moment that her brother
believed and said she was. She had been there just in time to witness
the poor woman's departure; and she was soon home again and relating the
circumstances to Hester, by the fireside. Even the news that Edward was
now in the same house with Philip, could not efface from her mind what
she had seen; nor could Hester help listening, though full of anxiety
about her husband.

"Miss Miskin was prevailed upon to leave her room at the last, I
suppose?"

"Scarcely. Poor Nanny was supporting her mistress's head when I went
in; and she said, with tears, that there was no depending on any one but
us. They both looked glad enough to see me: but then, nothing would
satisfy Mrs Howell but that I should warm myself, and be seated."

"To the last! and she offered you some cherry-bounce, I suppose."

"Yes; just as usual. Then she told me that it would be as well to
mention now, in case she should grow worse, and be in any danger, that
she should be gratified if you and I would select each a rug or screen
pattern from her stock, and worsteds to work it with: and she gave a
broad hint that there was one with a mausoleum and two weeping willows,
which she hoped one of us would choose; and that perhaps her name might
fill up the space on the tomb. Poor Nanny began to cry; and this
affected Mrs Howell; and she begged earnestly to see Miss Miskin."

"And then she came, I suppose."

"Not she! She would not come till her friend sent a message threatening
to haunt her if she did not."

"Did you carry the message?"

"No; but Nanny did; and, I thought, with hearty good will; Miss Miskin
came trembling, but too much frightened to cry. She would not approach
nearer than the doorway, and there fell down on her knees, and so
remained the whole time she was receiving directions about the shop and
the stock,--`in case,' as the poor soul again said, `of my getting
worse, so as to be in any danger.' And yet Dr Levitt thought he had
told her, plainly enough, what he thought of her state this morning."

"And was she aware at last? or did she go off unconsciously?"

"I think she was aware; I think so from her last words--`Oh, my poor