me. Many a scaldin' tear I shed that nobody
witnessed; many a wringin' my heart felt since that time. I got low,
and, as I said, my health left me. I began to think of what I ought to
do; and bein' so much' alone, my thoughts were never off it. At last
I remembered the Virgin Mother of God, as bein' once a woman, and the
likelier to pity one of her own kind in sorrow. I then thought of a
scapular; and made a promise to myself, that if you didn't come within
a certain time, I would dedicate myself to her for ever. I saw that you
neglected me, and I heard so much of the way you spent your time, how
you were pleasant and merry while my heart was breakin', that I made a
vow to remain a spotless virgin all my life. I got a scapular, too, that
I might be strengthened to keep my holy promise; for you didn't come to
me within the time. This is it in my hand. It is now on me. The VOW IS
MADE AND I AM MISERABLE FOB EVER!"

Denis sobbed and wrung his hands, whilst tears, intensely bitter, fell
from his eyes.

"Oh, Susan!" he exclaimed, "what have you done? Miserable! Oh you have
ruined me utterly! You have rendered us both for ever miserable!"

"Miserable!" she exclaimed with flashing eyes. "Who talks of misery?"
But again she put her hand to her forehead, and endeavored to recollect
herself. "Denis," she added, "Denis, my brain is turning! Oh, I have
no friend! Oh, mother, that I never seen, but as if it was in a dream;
mother, daughter of your daughter's heart, look down from heaven, and.
pity your orphan child in her sore trouble and affliction! Oh, how often
did I miss you, mother darlin', durin' all my life! In sickness I had
not your tend her hands about me; in sorrow I could no' hear your voice;
and in joy and happiness you were never with me to share them! I had not
your advice, my blessed mother, to guide and direct me, to tache me what
was right and what was wrong! Oh, if you will not hear your own poor
lonely orphan, who will you hear? if you will not assist her, who
ought you to assist? for, as sure as I stand here this night, you are
a blessed saint in heaven. But let me not forget the Virgin Queen of
Heaven, that I am bound to. I kneel to you, Hope of the Afflicted! To
you let them go that have a broken heart, as I have! Queen of Glory,
pity me!--Star of the Sea--Comfort of the Hopeless--Refuge of Sinners,
hear me, strengthen and support me! And you will, too. Who did you
ever cast away, mild and beautiful Virgin