was chosen, and the
day of sailing fixed upon. Margaret's last letter, addressed to her
mother, is dated on the 14th of May.

We read it now with a weight of sorrow which was hidden from her. In the
light of what afterwards took place, it has the sweet solemnity of a
greeting sent from the borders of another world.

"FLORENCE, May 14, 1850.

"I will believe I shall be welcome with my treasures,--my husband
and child. For me, I long so much to see you! Should anything
hinder our meeting upon earth, think of your daughter as one who
always wished, at least, to do her duty, and who always cherished
you, according as her mind opened to discover excellence.

"Give dear love, too, to my brothers; and first, to my eldest,
faithful friend, Eugene; a sister's love to Ellen; love to my kind
and good aunts, and to my dear cousin E----. God bless them!

"I hope we shall be able to pass some time together yet, in this
world. But, if God decrees otherwise, here and hereafter, my
dearest mother,

"Your loving child,

"MARGARET."

Who is there that reads twice a sorrowful story without entertaining an
unreasonable hope that its ending may change in the reperusal? So does
one return to the fate of "Paul and Virginia," so to that of the "Bride
of Lammermoor." So, even in the wild tragedy of "Othello," seen for the
hundredth time, one still sees a way of escape for the victim; still, in
imagination, implores her to follow it. And when repeated representation
has made assurance doubly sure, we yield to the mandate which none can
resist, once issued, and say, "It was to be."

This unreasonable struggle renews itself within us as we follow the
narrative of Margaret's departure for her native land. Why did she
choose a merchant vessel from Leghorn? why one which was destined to
carry in its hold the heavy marble of Powers's Greek Slave? She was
warned against this, was uncertain in her own mind, and disturbed by
presages of ill. But economy was very necessary to her at the moment.
The vessel chosen, the barque "Elizabeth," was new, strong, and ably
commanded. Margaret had seen and made friends with the captain, Hasty by
name, and his wife. Horace Sumner was to be their fellow-passenger, and
a young Italian girl, Celeste Paolini, engaged to help in the care of
the little boy. These considerations carried the day.

Just before leaving Florence, Margaret received l