"I don't think I shall ever have heart to play again!" she replied—they were both silent.
"Be assured, Kate, that submission to the will of God," said Mr. Aubrey, as (he with his arm round his sister) they walked slowly to and fro, "is the great lesson to be learned from the troubles of life; and for that purpose they are sent. Let us bear up awhile; the waters will not go over our heads!"
"I hope not," replied his sister, faintly, and in tears. "How did you leave Agnes, Charles?"
"She was asleep; she is still very feeble"—— Here the door was suddenly opened, and Miss Aubrey's maid entered hastily, exclaiming, "Are you here, ma'am?—or sir?"
"Here we are," they replied, hurrying towards her; "what is the matter?"
"Oh, Madam is talking! She began speaking all of a sudden. She did, indeed, sir. She's talking, and"—— continued the girl, almost breathless.
"My mother talking!" exclaimed Aubrey, with an amazed air.
"Oh yes, sir! she is—she is, indeed!"
Miss Aubrey sank into her brother's arms, overcome for a moment with the sudden and surprising intelligence.
"Rouse yourself, Kate!" he exclaimed with animation; "did I not tell you that Heaven would not forget us? But I must hasten up-stairs, to hear the joyful sounds with my own ears—and do you follow as soon as you can." Leaving her in the care of her maid, he hastened out of the room, and was soon at the door of his mother's chamber. He stood for a moment in the doorway, and his straining ears caught the gentle tones of his mother's voice, speaking in a low but cheerful tone. His knees trembled beneath him with joyful excitement. Fearful of trusting himself in her presence till he had become calmer, he noiselessly sank on the nearest chair, with beating heart and straining ear—ay, every tone of that dear voice thrilled through his heart. But I shall not torture myself or my reader by dwelling upon the scene which ensued. Alas! the venerable sufferer's tongue was indeed loosed;—but reason had fled! He listened—he distinguished her words. She supposed that all her children—dead and alive—were romping about her; she spoke of him and his sister as she had spoken to them twenty years ago!