I must tell you, my Lord, that from the fatal day when you was a feeling
witness of her agonies, Sibella has been perfectly or rather horridly
calm. Never has she named Clement; nor has she ever wept. She insisted
on having the corpse of her infant brought to her before its burial;
and, while she pressed it to her burning bosom, she said--'Poor
senseless earth! In quitting life so soon, thou hast not lost but
gained! What art thou? nothing! thy members will not swell into strength
and proportion. Life will not inform them. Thy heart will never beat,
and it shall not feel.----Babe, thou art gone for ever! None laments for
thee. She who should have been thy mother weeps not for thee.--Go, babe!
go to thy cold shelter! soon will that shelter be mine. But I cannot
afford thee warmth: for I shall be cold, senseless, dead, as thou art!'
As she spoke her eye had no moisture; and she delivered up the infant
without shedding one tear; but the oppression she endured for want of
this salutary relief was dreadful to behold. Mrs. Beville was of opinion
that the altered and pity-moving countenance of Murden, the recollection
of his kindness, and his sufferings for her would surprise, affect her,
turn her consideration from herself to him, and call forth a sympathy
which must produce tears.
I had less hope of the success of the experiment in this way to Sibella
than Mrs. Beville entertained; yet, I had hope and I also persuaded
myself that a kind word from her would give to Murden a renewal of
vigour, and prove the chearing companion of his few remaining days.
Sibella was at this time more composed than usual; and, on being
informed of Mr. Murden's desire, she expressed an earnest wish to see
him.
I returned to the study. 'You are come to lead me to her,' said Murden,
impatiently. 'Yes,' I replied, 'I am. Sibella herself desires it.'
'Give me--give me----' said he, stretching forth his hand, and his
servant presented some liquid he held in a glass; but Murden pushed it
from him. 'Carry me there,' said he, 'all my strength is gone.'
I saw that he trembled excessively, and gladly would I have retracted my
consent; but it was too late. I could nothing more than hasten the
interview, that the expectation of it might not prey on him thus
dreadfully. We prevailed on him to taste the liquid; and then his
attendants carried him in their arms to the chamber door, where at his
own desire they stood still for a moment or two.
When he was borne into the room, he suddenly assumed a strength which
had before totally failed him, and tottered to the seat beside
her.--Neither spoke.----He gazed, till he could gaze no longer; and,
leaning back his head, burst into a violent flood of tears. Sibella was
not moved. She put out her hand towards his; I lifted his, and gave it
her.
'Mr. Murden,' said she, as she pressed his hand, 'you have been very
kind to me--tell me how I can thank you?'
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