me off with her
to the Hall, and I was introduced into the solemn state chamber, where
my kind and noble friend was calmly breathing her last.

"Ah, Geoffrey, how well I can recall that parting hour, and the deep
impression it made on my mind. There, beneath that sumptuous canopy,
lay the young, the beautiful--still beautiful in death, with Heaven's
own smile lighted upon her pale serene face. God had set his holy seal
upon her brow. The Merciful, who delighteth in mercy, had marked her
for his own.

"Ah, what a fearful contrast to that angelic face was the dark fierce
countenance of Dinah North, scowling down upon the expiring saint, and
holding in her arms the sinless babe of that sweet mother.

"Rachel Mornington's proud handsome features wore their usual stern
expression, but her face was very pale, and her lips firmly compressed.
She held, or rather grasped me by the hand, as she led me up to the
bed.

"'Is that my little Philip?' said the dying woman in her usual sweet
tones. But the voice was so enfeebled by disease as to be scarcely
audible.

"'It is my son, my lady,' replied Rachel, and her voice slightly
faltered.

"'What says my love?' asked Sir Alexander, raising his head from the
bed-clothes in which his face had been buried to conceal his tears.

"'Lift the boy up to me, dearest Alick, that I may kiss him once more
before I die.'

"Sir Alexander lifted me into the bed beside her, and raised her up
gently with his other arm, so that both she and I were encircled in his
embrace. My young heart beat audibly. I heard Lady Moncton whisper to
her husband.

"'Alexander, he is your child. Ah, do not deny it now. You know, I love
you _too_ well to be jealous of you. Just tell me the honest truth?'

"A crimson glow spread over her husband's face, as, in the same hurried
whisper, he replied, 'Dearest Emilia, the likeness is purely
accidental. I pledge to you my solemn word, that he is not my son.'

"The poor lady looked doubtingly in his face. I saw a bitter scornful
smile pass over the rigid features of my mother; whilst I, foolish
child, was flattered with the presumption that I might possibly be Sir
Alexander's son.

"'Do not cry Philip, my darling boy!' said Lady Moncton, holding me
close to her breast. 'Sir Alexander will be a father to you for my
sake. I am very happy, my dear child; I am going to Heaven, where my
own sweet baby went before me; I shall meet him there. Be a good boy,
and love y