The lovers obeyed her desire.
Mary-Anne placed their hands together, and said, "Be faithful to each other—and be happy."
Richard and Isabella both wept plentifully.
"Adieu, my kind—my dear friends," murmured Mary-Anne. "You must now leave me; and let my father come to receive the last wishes of his daughter."
"Adieu, dearest Mary-Anne: we shall meet in heaven!" said Isabella, in a tone expressive of deep emotion.
"We will never—never forget you," added Richard.
He then led the weeping Isabella from the apartment.
As they issued from the chamber of death, they met Mr. Gregory in the passage: he wrung their hands, and said, "Wait in the drawing-room until I come."
The unhappy parent then repaired to the death-bed of his daughter.
Markham and Isabella proceeded in silence to the drawing-room.