"Then I suppose Mr. Ingleby has been with her."
"Yes; her papa, at her request, sent for him; and he talked to her, so she told me, so sweetly about Jesus Christ, about his compassion and his love, and about his being able and willing to save her, and prayed with her so sweetly, that now she says she is quite happy at the thought of dying—that she would rather die than live."
"All this is quite marvellous."
"Exactly so. It has taken the whole circle of her intimacy by surprise. Everybody is talking about it, and nobody can make it out. Only think, a young lady with her bright prospects saying she would rather die than live!"
"Did Mr. Ingleby give her the sacrament and absolution?"
"No, ma', he did nothing but explain the Bible to her, and pray with her."
"Is she dying?"
"She is just now a little revived; but she told me again, she would rather die than live; and there was such a sweet smile on her countenance when she said it."
"Marvellous! But are you quite sure she is not in a state of delirium? This is how delirious people talk, so I have heard."
"She is no more delirious than I am. She told me, that if she should get well again, which she did not expect, she would have nothing more to do with balls, theatres, and card-parties; and she said so many solemn things to me about my soul, and its salvation and another world, and urged me so earnestly and affectionately to prepare for death while time was given me for such preparation, that I am become as low-spirited as ever, and don't know what to do. It is marvellous to hear with what ease, and fluency, and earnestness, she now talks on these awful subjects."