And the tears streamed down their cheeks.
"No—never forget me," said Mary-Anne; "for if it be allowed to the spirits of the departed to hover round the dwellings of those whom they loved and have left in this world, then will I be as a guardian angel unto you—and I shall contemplate your happiness with joy!"
"Oh! speak not thus surely of approaching death," exclaimed Richard. "Who knows that your eyes may not again behold the light!"
"My eyes!" repeated the invalid, with an evident shudder. "But for what could I live?" demanded the young maiden: "what attractions could life now offer to me?"
"You are young," returned Markham: "and hope and youth are inseparable. You can mingle with society,—you can appear in the great world—a world that will be proud of you——"
"Oh! Richard, Richard," murmured the soft tones of Isabella; "you know not what you say!"
At the same time that the Signora thus spoke in a low whisper, deep and convulsive sobs emanated from behind the curtains.
"Pardon me, Mary-Anne," said Richard, not comprehending the meaning of Isabella's words; "I have probably touched a chord——"
"Oh! I do not blame you," said Miss Gregory; "but my father ought to have told you all!"
"All!" echoed Richard. "What fresh misfortune could he have communicated?"