"It is well," she murmured—"well." She then made some inquiries after her relatives, and receiving a satisfactory answer, said, "I am glad you are come. You will be able to tell my father how I died."
"It will be a great comfort to him to learn the tranquil frame in which I have found you," replied Hodges.
"How long have I to live?" asked Amabel, somewhat quickly. "Do not deceive me."
"You had better make your preparations without delay," returned Hodges.
"I understand," she replied; and joining her hands upon her breast, she began to murmur a prayer.
Hodges, who up to this moment had had some difficulty in repressing his emotion, withdrew to a short distance to hide his fast-falling tears. He was roused shortly after, by a sudden and startling cry from the old woman.
"Oh, sir, she is going! she is going!" ejaculated Mrs. Batley. He found the exclamation true. The eyes of the dying girl were closed. There was a slight quiver of the lips, as if she murmured some name—probably Rochester's—and then all was over.
Hodges gazed at her sorrowfully for some time. He then roused himself, and giving some necessary directions to the old woman respecting the body, quitted the house. Not finding the earl at the place he had appointed to meet him, after waiting for a short time, he proceeded, towards his own house. On the way he was net by Thirlby and Parravicin, as previously related, and conducted to the house in Nicholas-lane. It will not be necessary to recapitulate what subsequently occurred. We shall, therefore, proceed to the point of time when he quitted his new patient, and entered the room where Thirlby and Leonard were waiting for him. Both, as has been stated, rushed towards him, and the former eagerly asked his opinion respecting his daughter.
"My opinion is positive," replied Hodges. "With care, she will undoubtedly recover."
"Heaven be thanked!" cried Thirlby, dropping on his knees.