Always indeed in some quiet and inoffensive shape was the
partiality she bore him observable; and sometimes it consisted in a
postponement of his wishes or comforts to those of her other children,
because she felt that she might do with him that which she could not
with the others--thus calculating as it were upon his greater affection.
But it is wonderful to reflect in how many ways, and through what
ingenious devices the human heart can exhibit its tenderness.
Arthur, as Bryan entered, had concluded the devotions he had been
reading for her, and relinquished to him the chair he had occupied. On
approaching, he was at once struck by the awful change for the worse,
which so very brief a period had impressed upon her features. On leaving
home that morning she appeared to be comparatively strong, and not
further diminished in flesh than a short uneasy ailment might naturally
occasion. But now her face, pallid and absolutely emaciated, had shrunk
into half its size, and was, beyond all possibility of hope or doubt,
stamped with the unequivocal impress of death.
Bryan, in a state which it is impossible to describe and very difficult
to conceive, took her hand, and after a short glance at her features,
now so full of ghastliness and the debility which had struck her down,
he stooped, and, kissing her lips, burst out into wild and irrepressible
sorrow.
Pages:
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201