Little Honor lived through the night; and when the morning came, they were still awaiting the King's messenger. As those who loved her sat round her bed, the child opened her eyes. "Aunt Isoult," she said in her little feeble voice, "how soon will Jesus come and take me?" Isoult looked for an answer to Dr Thorpe, who was also present. He brushed his hand over his eyes. "Would you liefer it were soon or long, little maid?" said he. "For Mother's sake, I would liefer He waited," she whispered; "but for mine, I would He might come soon. There will be no more physic, will there--nor no more pain, after He cometh?" "Poor heart!" exclaimed Lady Lisle, who sat in the window. "Nay, little maid," answered Dr Thorpe. "Nor no more crying, Honor," said Isoult. "I would He would take Mother along with me," pursued the child. "She hath wept so much these two years past. She used to smile so brightly, and it was so pretty to see her. I would she could do that again." "Thou shalt see her do that again, dear Honor," said Isoult, as well as she could speak, "but not, methinks, in this world." But her voice failed her, for she remembered a time when that smile had been brighter than ever Honor saw it. "If He would take us all," the child continued faintly: "me, and Mother, and Arthur, and Grandmother, and Aunt Philippa! And Father is there waiting--is not he?" "I think he is, Honor," answered Isoult. "That would be so good," she said, as she closed her eyes. "Aunt Isoult, would it be wrong to ask Him?" "It is never wrong to tell Him of our wants and longings, dear heart," was the answer. "Only we must not forget that He knoweth best." "Please to ask Him," the child whispered. But Isoult's voice broke down in tears. "Ask Him thyself, little maid," said Dr Thorpe. The child folded her little hands on her breast. "Lord Jesus!" she said, in her faint voice, "I would like Thee to come and take me soon. I would like Thee to take us all together--specially Mother and Grandmother--with me. And please to make Grandmother love Thee, for I am afeard she doth not much; and then make haste and fetch her and Mother to me. Amen." "God bless thee, little maid!" said Dr Thorpe in a low voice. "All the singing of the angels will not stay that little prayer from reaching His ear." "But list the child!" whispered Lady Lisle under her breath. Honor lay a minute with her eyes closed, and then suddenly opened them, and clasped her little hands again. "I forgot to ask Him one thing," she said. "Please, Lord Jesus, not to send the angels, but come and fetch me Thyself." And her eyes closed again. Frances came softly in, and sat down near the bed; and a few minutes after her, Philippa looked in, and then came forward and stood in the window. She and Dr Thorpe looked at each other, and he nodded. Philippa whispered a word or two to Lady Lisle, who appeared to assent to something; and then she came to Frances.