The strength that still upheld him was in those few
simple words; they were the food of a hope that was born in agony and
cradled in despair.
'Oh, if I might live!' said the girl softly, 'if I might live but for a
few days yet, how much I have to live for!' She endeavoured to bend her
head towards her father as she spoke; for the words were beginning to
fall faintly and more faintly from her lips--exhaustion was mastering
her once again. She dwelt for a moment now on the name of Hermanric, on
the grave in the farm-house garden; then reverted again to her father.
The last feeble sounds she uttered were addressed to him; and their
burden was still of consolation and of love.
Soon the old man, as he stooped over her, saw her eyes close again--
those innocent, gentle eyes which even yet preserved their old
expression while the face grew wan and pale around them--and darkness
and night sank down over his soul while he looked. 'She sleeps,' he
murmured in a voice of awe, as he resumed his watching position by the
side of the couch.
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