m, and all of you hear me. I never loved but
you; I have liked others much; I liked Jacob; but you only ever did make
me feel I had a heart; and alas, you only have I sacrificed. When led
away by my folly to give you pain, I suffered more than you--for you
have had my only, you shall have my eternal and unceasing love. To your
memory I am hereafter wedded, to join you will be my only wish--and if
there could be a boon granted me from heaven, it would be to die with
you, Tom--yes, in those dear arms."

Mary held out her arms to Tom, who falling down on his knees, embraced
her, and thus they remained with their faces buried in each other's
shoulders. The whole scene was now at its climax; it was too
oppressive, and I felt faint, when I was aroused by the voice of the
Dominie, who, lifting up both his arms, and extending them forth,
solemnly prayed, "O Lord, look down upon these Thy servants in
affliction; grant to those who are to continue in their pilgrimage
strength to bear Thy chastening--grant to him who is to be summoned to
Thee that happiness which the world cannot give; and O God most mighty,
God most powerful, lay not upon us burdens greater than we can bear.--My
children let us pray."

The Dominie knelt down and repeated the Lord's prayer; all followed his
example, and then there was a pause.

"Stapleton," said I, pointing to Mary. I beckoned to the Dominie. We
assisted up old Tom, and then his wife, and led them away; the poor old
woman was in a state of stupefaction, and until she was out in the air
was not aware that she had quitted her son. Stapleton had attempted to
detach Mary from Tom, but in vain; they were locked together as if in
death. At last Tom, roused by me, suffered his hold to be loosened, and
Mary was taken out in a happy state of insensibility, and carried to the
inn by her father and the Dominie.

"Are they all gone?" whispered Tom to me, as his head reclined on my
shoulder.

"All, Tom."

"Then the bitterness of death is past; God have mercy on them, and
assuage their anguish; they want His help more than I do."

A passionate flood of tears, which lasted some minutes, relieved the
poor fellow; he raised himself, and drying his eyes, became more
composed.

"Jacob, I hardly need tell my dying request, to watch over my poor
father and mother, to comfort poor Mary--God bless you, Jacob! you have
indeed been a faithful friend, and may God reward you. And now, Jacob,
leave me; I