'She spoke, and laid her hot hand on his own; But he nought answered, save a heart-wrung groan; For oh! too sure, her voice prophetic sounded Too clear the proofs that in her face abounded Of swift Consumption's power! Although each day He'd seen her airy lightness fail away, And gleams unnatural glisten in her eye; He had not dared to dream that she could die, But only fancied his a causeless fear Of losing something which he held so dear; Yet--now--when, startled at her prophet-cries, To hers he turned his stricken, stone-like eyes, And o'er her cheek declined his blighted head. He saw Death write on it the _fatal red_-- He saw, and straightway sank his spirit's light Into the sunless twilight of the starless night! 'While he sat, shaken by his sudden shock, Again--and with an earnestness--she spoke, As if the world of her Creator shone Through all the cloudy shadows of her own: "Come grieve not--darling--o'er my early doom; 'Tis well that Death no drearier shape assume Than this he comes in--well that widowed age Will not extend my friendless pilgrimage Through Life's dim vale of tears--'tis well that Pain Wields not its lash nor binds its burning chain, But leaves my death-bed to a mild decline, Soothed and supported by a love like thine!"' My copy of the poem is illustrated with a portrait, by J. B. Leyland, in pen-and-ink, of the ideal Percy. The drawing is bold and effective; and, though not intended for an exact portrait of Branwell, bears some resemblance to him in general character. The sketch is signed, 'Northangerland,' at the top; and, at the bottom, 'Alexander Percy, Esq.;' while the artist's name is discerned among the shadows which fall from the figure of Percy. CHAPTER XIV. FAME AT HAWORTH. Charlotte Corresponds on Literary Subjects--Novels--Confession of Authorship--Branwell's Failing Health--He Writes to Leyland--Branwell and Mr. George Searle Phillips--Branwell's Intellect Retains its Power--His Description of 'Professor Leonidas Lyon'--The latter Gentleman's Account of his Reading of 'Jane Eyre'--Branwell's Remarks on Charlotte and the Work. The early months of the year 1848 proved a severe trial for the Brontë family, as they did to the whole of the Haworth villagers. Influenza and other ailments were prevalent, and the sisters did not escape the former: Anne, indeed, suffered from a severe cough, with some fever, and her friends became alarmed. The position of the parsonage in relation to the churchyard rendered it unhealthy; but, at the instance of Mr. Brontë, a new grave-yard was opened in another place. He did not, however, succeed in his attempt to get a good supply of water laid on to each house.