"Stop! Stop! the play is over!'
"No! no!" I replied, "it is only beginning; and it will last as long as we two live."
Her face grew serious in an instant, and she whispered:
"Yes, until death doth us part."
CHAPTER XXIII.
MAX'S STORY-THE SONGSTRESS
When Max came home the next evening I observed that his face wore a very joyous expression--it was indeed radiant. He smiled without cause; he moved as if on air. At the supper table his mother noticed these significant appearances also, and remarked upon them, smiling. Max laughed and said:
"Yes, I am very happy; I will tell you something surprising after supper."
When the evening meal was finished we adjourned to the library. Max closed the doors carefully, and we all sat. down in a group together, Max holding the withered hand of the gentle old lady in his own, and Estella and I being near together.
"Now," said Max, "I am about to tell you a long story. It may not be as interesting to you as it is to me; but you are not to interrupt me. And, dear mother," he said, turning to her with a loving look, "you must not feel hurt that I did not make you my confidante, long ere this, of the events I am about to detail; I did not really know myself how they were going to end--I never knew until to-day.