ery. He had grown much gentler, and sadness had
partially displaced his sullenness. He seemed to have become in a
measure aware of the bruteness of the life he had hitherto led: he must
have had a glimpse of something better. It is wonderful what the
sickness which human stupidity regards as the one evil thing, can do
towards redemption! He showed concern at his niece's illness, and had
himself carried down every other day to see her for a few minutes. She
received him always with the greatest gentleness, and he showed
something that seemed like genuine affection for her.

It was a morning in the month of May--

The naked twigs were shivering all for cold--

when Donal, who had been with Arctura the greater part of the night,
and now lay on the couch in a neighbouring room, heard Mrs. Brookes
call him.

"My lady wants you, sir," she said.

He started up, and went to her.

"Send for the minister," she whispered, "--not Mr. Carmichael; he does
not know you. Send for Mr. Graeme too: he and mistress Brookes will be
witnesses. I must call you husband once before I die!"

"I hope you will many a time after!" he returned.

She smiled on him with a look of love unutterable.

"Mind," she said, holding out her arms feebly, but drawing him fast to
her bosom, "that this is how I love you! When you see me dull and
stupid, and I hardly look at you--for though death makes bright, dying
makes stupid--then say to yourself, 'This is not how she loves me; it
is only how she is dying! She loves me and knows it--and by and by will
be able to show it!'"

They were precious words both then and afterwards!

With some careful questioning, to satisfy himself that, so evidently at
the gate of death she yet knew perfectly her own mind,--and not without
some shakes of the head revealing disapprobation, the minister did as
he was requested, and wrote a certificate of the fact, which was duly
signed and witnessed.

And if he showed his disapproval yet more in the prayer with which he
concluded the ceremony, none but mistress Brookes showed responsive
indignation.

The bridegroom gave his bride one gentle kiss, and withdrew with the
clergyman.

"Pardon me if I characterize this as a strange proceeding!" said the
latter.

"Not so strange perhaps as it looks, sir!" said Donal.

"On the very brink of the other world!"

"The other world and its brink too are his who ordained marriage!"

"For this world only," said the minister