197 IN LIFE . the hands that clasped Vivienne's grew colder, should hear of her death , would it matter to yet the end did not come . him? Would he give one regretful thought to The short summer night had passed , and the an the wom he had once loved ? Oh! did he morning breeze stole gently through the winlove her still ? If only she could know that he dows , from which the curtains had been withsometimes thought of her; if this terrible blank The eyelids of the dying woman , that . n closed in the gray , morning twilight , of silence and uncertainty could be broken ; if dra hadwn bee she could see him once more ! The robe that opened gently as an infant's ; the eyes wandered shook her wasted frame told plainly enough of from Vivienne's face to the rosy sky. There the heart that still clung to earth , though she was a movement of the pale lips, a fleeting smile on the white face, and with one gentle would fain have given it all to heaven. wers bloomed sigh , Madame de Beranger had ceased to breathe. flo The mer sum It was mid . again on the terraces of Hautlieu , and filled For a moment. Vivienne knelt with those pale with their perfume the chamber where Vivienne hands still clasping hers ; then she gently folded knelt beside her dying mother . All that fair them on the quiet bosom, and rose up from the summer day Madame de Beranger had lain couch . Her work was ended now, and in her calm and still , and faintly smiling , while her weary heart there was no thought but a pasheart throbbed with pulsations that grew slower sionate longing to pass beyond the gates which parted her from the mother she had lived for. and weaker every moment . Pallid as the corpse she had left, with bowed Priest and physician had rendered their last services , and there was no sound in the room head and woeful eyes , she went from the chambut Vivienne's low, clear tones , and her mother's ber of death . On the threshold stood Duroc , his eyes glitrs . nt ewhispe faiTh s er' hands dying woman held her daught tering with malicious triumph. • in her feeble clasp , and looked up with undying He leaned toward her, and half whispered , love into the sweet , solemn eyes of her child . 'Madame has, perhaps , forgotten the penalty 66 So the hours wore away , and the end was attached to what she has done." ing y r ver nea . The rays of the declin sun peneShe looked at him quietly , and his evil eyes trated the crimson curtains of the windows, and sunk before the dignity and purity of her shed a roseate glory over both the pale, worn nce . monsieur ," she said , simply, "I have gla"No, faces of the women . The gloom faded , and twilight gathered in not forgotten . I am no longer mistress here, the room ; but still Vivienne knelt there with and we are going away, my mother and I." her hands clasped in those feeble , clinging ones She glided past him, and entering her own chamber, summoned Elise , and began to give which were growing chill in death . Suddenly Elise drew near, and stooping, directions for the funeral of her mother, whispered something in her young mistress ' Vivienne was adored by every person on the estate, and she knew her requests would be ear. Vivienne looked up, and shook her head ; but obeyed, though the right to command was no Elise still lingered , with a disturbed expression ger hers. lonShe wished that her mother's body should be e on her fac . " What is it, my child ?" whispered the dying Itlaid , not in the drear vaults of Hautlieu , but voice. "Ah ! I know now ! Elise is right. in the green church -yard of the village , and ne ! that the hands of the humble peasants , who ien Viv Oh, e ve is tim for you to lea me. loved her so faithfully, should perform the last must you go from me now ?" "No, my mother !" said Vivienne, gently . sacred duties for the dead . It was done as she directed . In the hushed " I will not leave you now. My work is almost m of the mid -summer evening, the day after cal done ; I will stay with you to-night ." A smile lit up the wan face of the mother, and her death , they laid Madame de Beranger in an expression of deep peace and rest succeeded the peaceful church -yard ; and rough peasants the momentary look of anguish that had ruffled sobbed aloud as they gazed at the black -robed figure, and the pale , lovely face of the young herSilbro encwe. again in the dim, flower -scented room, marquise, who stood alone at the head of the and then, faintly and slowly came the chime of ve. n at last all was finished , Vivienne turned the clock . Vivienne counted the eight solemn graWhe strokes, and bent her head that her lips might away, and leaning on the arm of the sobbing e on, 's han ch the d . and hour after hour Elise, she went slowly along the path leading herwor touSo her nig motht
DEATH
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