she must have the honoured
office of waiting on the old age of her grandfather and grandmother. I
think she will be a comfort to them, do not you? They are fond of her,
and she seems to suit them."

"Yes, I have little doubt that she will be everything to them. I have
especially noted her ways with Mrs. Langford, they are so exactly what I
have tried to teach Beatrice."

"Dear little Busy Bee! I am glad she is coming; but in case I should
not see her, give her her godmother's love, and tell her that she and
Henrietta must be what their mammas have been to each other; and that I
trust that after thirty-five years' friendship, they will still have as
much confidence in one another as I have in you, my own dear Beatrice.
I have written her name in one of these books," she added after a short
interval, touching some which were always close to her. "And, Beatrice,
one thing more I had to say," she proceeded, taking up a Bible, and
finding out a place in it. "Geoffrey has always been a happy prosperous
man, as he well deserves; but if ever trouble should come to him in his
turn, then show him this." She pointed out the verse, "Be as a father to
the fatherless, and instead of a husband to their mother; so shalt thou
be as the son of the Most High, and He shall love thee more than thy
mother doth." "Show him that, and tell him it is his sister Mary's last
blessing."

CHAPTER XVIII.

On Thursday morning, Henrietta began to awake from her sound night's
rest. Was it a dream that she saw a head between her and the window? She
thought it was, and turned to sleep again; but at her movement the head
turned, the figure advanced, and Mrs. Geoffrey Langford stood over her.

Henrietta opened her eyes, and gazed upon her without saying a word for
some moments; then, as her senses awakened, she half sprung up. "How is
mamma? Does she want me? Why?" Her aunt made an effort to speak, but it
seemed beyond her power.

"O, aunt, aunt!" cried she, "what is the matter? What has happened?
Speak to me!"

"Henrietta," said her aunt, in a low, calm, but hoarse tone, "she bade
you bear up for your brother's sake."

"But--but--" said Henrietta, breathlessly; "and she--"

"My dear child, she is at rest."

Henrietta laid her head back, as if completely stunned, and unable to
realise what she had heard.

"Tell me," she said, after a few moments.

Her aunt knelt by her and steadily, without a tear, began to speak.
"It was at half-p