the light of
Heaven dawns upon it now.

She has a great duty to perform, and perform it she will; for
she has learnt that the cross which saves us in eternity must
be taken up on earth; and that without sacrifice there is no
peace for the soul.

She has called Edward to her side; she has mentally prayed
that strength may be given her for the trial at hand; she has
said to herself, "The scene, his tears, his passion, his soul
will too deeply move;" and she has charged him, with solemn
earnestness, to leave her for some hours to herself, and then
to return and bless the remaining days of that life he cannot
save.

She remained alone; and deep and intense were the prayers she
poured forth, as she waited for those she had sent for; those
whom she had summoned around her in that solemn hour.

She had never looked so beautiful in her days of pride and
health, as now, on her bed of sickness and sorrow, of
penitence and peace. Yea, of peace; for, although the
approaching hour was one of pain and trial; ay, and of shame
too, yet her way was clear before her, and she turned not now
her head aside from the cup of sorrow and of humiliation, but
steadily prepared to drink it to the dregs.

When she saw Mrs. Middleton, the mother of her childhood, the
friend of her youth; the friend who had lately sought her with
a message of peace, when she had forsaken, and been forsaken
by all the world, when she remembered what she had to tell
her, her soul well-nigh fainted within her; but she held out
her hand in silence, and prayed more earnestly.

When Alice, the widowed, the childless Alice, entered the
room; when their eyes met, she opened her arms. Oh, what
depths of mysterious feeling, of unutterable memories, of
silent aspirations, were crowded in that embrace. O language,
where is your strength? O words, your power, compared with the
mute communion of such an hour?

But all are not assembled yet; and Ellen's eyes are fixed on
the door with earnest expectation; and when it opened, and she
saw Mr. Lacy, her guide, her friend; he who by his sacred
ministry had prepared her for death, she turned paler than
before, for he was not alone--an aged woman followed him, and
gazed upon her with a strange and bewildered expression. There
was a moment's deep silence, and then Ellen, turning
successively to each of them, addressed them thus:--

"You who have been to me all tenderness--you who have been to
me just and merciful, with a ju