strangers, he took no heed whatever. He had seen them, but
appeared quite incapable of interest or curiosity. The younger brother
stood apart. The bachelor drew a chair towards the old man, and sat
down close beside him. After a long silence, he ventured to speak.

'Another night, and not in bed!' he said softly; 'I hoped you would be
more mindful of your promise to me. Why do you not take some rest?'

'Sleep has left me,' returned the old man. 'It is all with her!'

'It would pain her very much to know that you were watching thus,' said
the bachelor. 'You would not give her pain?'

'I am not so sure of that, if it would only rouse her. She has slept
so very long. And yet I am rash to say so. It is a good and happy
sleep--eh?'

'Indeed it is,' returned the bachelor. 'Indeed, indeed, it is!'

'That's well!--and the waking--' faltered the old man.

'Happy too. Happier than tongue can tell, or heart of man conceive.'

They watched him as he rose and stole on tiptoe to the other chamber
where the lamp had been replaced. They listened as he spoke again
within its silent walls. They looked into the faces of each other, and
no man's cheek was free from tears. He came back, whispering that she
was still asleep, but that he thought she had moved. It was her hand,
he said--a little--a very, very little--but he was pretty sure she had
moved it--perhaps in seeking his. He had known her do that, before
now, though in the deepest sleep the while. And when he had said this,
he dropped into his chair again, and clasping his hands above his head,
uttered a cry never to be forgotten.

The poor schoolmaster motioned to the bachelor that he would come on
the other side, and speak to him. They gently unlocked his fingers,
which he had twisted in his grey hair, and pressed them in their own.

'He will hear me,' said the schoolmaster, 'I am sure. He will hear
either me or you if we beseech him. She would, at all times.'

'I will hear any voice she liked to hear,' cried the old man. 'I love
all she loved!'

'I know you do,' returned the schoolmaster. 'I am certain of it.
Think of her; think of all the sorrows and afflictions you have shared
together; of all the trials, and all the peaceful pleasures, you have
jointly known.'

'I do. I do. I think of nothing else.'

'I would have you think of nothing else to-night--of nothing but those
things which will soften your heart, dear friend, and open it to old