In spite of his weakness, he decided on another trip to America, and here, in 1867, he began a series of readings which left him in a far worse condition. Often at the close of an evening he would become so faint that he would have to lie down. He was unable to sleep and his appetite entirely failed him. Yet his wonderful determination and energy made him able to complete the task. A great banquet of farewell was given to him in New York and he returned to England bearing the admiration and love of the whole American people. Before leaving England he had promised to give one other course of readings there, and this promise, after a summer's quiet at home, he attempted to fulfil. But he was too ill. He found himself for the first time in his life feeling, as he said, "giddy, jarred, shaken, faint, uncertain of voice and sight, and tread and touch, and dull of spirit." He was obliged to discontinue the course and to rest. This summer of 1869--the last summer of his life--was a contented and even a happy one. At home, at first in London, and later in the house on Gad's Hill, surrounded by his children and by the friends he loved best, Dickens lived quietly, working at his last story which his death was to leave for ever unfinished--The _Mystery of Edwin Drood_. He attempted one more series of readings, and with their close bade farewell for ever to his English audience. He was seen in public but a few times more--once at the last dinner party he ever attended, to meet the Prince of Wales and the King of the Belgians, and once when the Queen invited him to Buckingham Palace. Soon after, the end came. One day as he entered the house at Gad's Hill, he seemed tired and silent. As he sat down to dinner all present noticed that he looked very ill. They begged him to lie down. "Yes, on the ground," he said--these were the last words he ever uttered--and as he spoke he slipped down upon the floor. He never fully recovered consciousness, and next day, June 9, 1870, Charles Dickens breathed his last. Five days later he was laid to rest in Westminster Abbey, where are buried so many of the greatest of England's dead. For days, thousands came to visit the spot, and rich and poor alike looked upon his grave with tears. HALLIE ERMINIE RIVES. THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP Published 1840 _Scene_: London and Neighboring Towns _Time_: 1840 CHARACTERS "Little Nell" An orphan girl Mr. Trent Her aged grandfather Proprietor of "The Old Curiosity Shop" "The Stranger" Mr. Trent's brother Christopher Nubbles Little Nell's friend and protector Known as "Kit" Quilp A dwarf Mrs. Quilp His wife Mrs. Jarley Proprietress of "Jarley's Waxwork"