The Chimes
O Youth and Beauty, happy as ye should be, look at this. O Youth and Beauty, blest and blessing all within your reach, and working out the ends of your Beneficent Creator, look at this!
She saw the entering figure; screamed its name; cried “Lilian!” It was swift, and fell upon its knees before her: clinging to her dress.
“Up, dear! Up! Lilian! My own dearest!”
“Never more, Meg; nevermore! Here! Here! Close to you, holding to you, feeling your dear breath upon my face!”
“Sweet Lilian! Darling Lilian! Child of my heart—mother’s love can be more tender—lay your head upon my breast!”
“Never more, Meg. Never more! When I first looked into your lace, you knelt before me. On my knees before you, let me die. Let it be here!”
“You have come back. My Treasure! We will live together, work together, hope together, die together!”
“Ah! Kiss my lips, Meg; fold your arms about me; press me to your bosom; look kindly on me; but don’t raise me. Let it be here. Let me see the last of your dear face upon my knees!”
O Youth and Beauty, happy as ye should be, look at this! O Youth and Beauty, working out the ends of your Beneficent Creator, look at this!”
“Forgive me, Meg! So dear, so dear! Forgive me! I know you do, I see you do, but say so, Meg!”
98
