“Ah, mother,” whispered Margaret, in reply, “he doth but deceive himself as we do.”
Ere she could finish the sentence, a strange interruption occurred.
A loud voice cried out, “I SEE HIM, I SEE HIM.”
And the old man with dilating eyes seemed to be looking right through the wall of the house.
“IN A BOAT; ON A GREAT RIVER; COMING THIS WAY. Sore disfigured; but I knew him. Gone! gone! all dark.”
And he sank back, and asked feebly where was Margaret.
“Dear father, I am by thy side, Oh, mother! mother, what is this?”
“I cannot see thee, and but a moment agone I saw all round the world, Ay, ay. Well, I am ready. Is this thy hand? Bless thee, my child, bless thee! Weep not! The tree is ripe.”
The old physician read the signs aright. These calm words were his last. The next moment he drooped his head, and gently, placidly, drifted away from earth, like an infant sinking to rest, The torch had flashed up before going out.