going over to him, took his hand and.
said, "Don't, William, don't; it is nothing but merely one of your
good-humored attempts to make your sister cheerful. There," she added,
kissing his cheek; "there is a kiss for you; the kiss of peace let it
be, and forgiveness; but I have nothing to forgive you for, except too
much affection for an unhappy sister, who, I believe, is likely to be
troublesome enough to you all; but, perhaps not long--not long."

There were few dry eyes in the room, as she uttered the last words.

"I do not like to see you weep," she added, "when I could have wept
myself, and partaken of your tears, it was rather a relief to me than
otherwise. It seems, however, that my weeping days are past; do not, oh
do not--you trouble me, and I want to compose my mind for a performance
of the solemn act which I have this evening neglected. Mamma, kiss me,
and pray for me; I love you well and tenderly, mamma; I am sure you know
I do."

The sorrowing mother caught her to her bosom, and, after kissing her
passive lips, burst out into a sobbing fit of grief.

"Oh, my daughter, my daughter," she exclaimed, still clasping her to her
heart, "and is it come to this! Oh, that we had never seen him!"

"This, my dear," said Mr. Sinclair to his wife, "is wrong; indeed, it is
weakness; you know she wants to compose her mind for prayer."

"I do, papa; they must be more firm; I need to pray. I know my
frailties, you know them too, sir; I concealed them from you as long
as I could, but their burden was too heavy for my heart; bless me now,
before I go; I will kneel."

The sweet girl knelt beside him, and he placed his hand upon her
stooping head, and blessed her. She then raised herself, and looking up
to him with a singular expression of wild sweetness beaming in her eyes,
she said, leaning her head again upon his breast,

"There are two bosoms, on which, I trust, I and my frailties can repose
with hope; I know I shall soon pass from the one to the other--

"The bosom of my _father_ and my _God_, will not they be sweet, papa?"

She spoke thus with a smile of such unutterable sweetness, her beautiful
eyes gazing innocently up into her father's countenance, that the heart
of the old man was shaken through every fibre. He saw, however, what
must be encountered, and was resolved to act a part worthy of the
religion he professed. He arose, and taking her hand in his, said, "You
wish to pray, dearest love; that is right; y