"I shall not experience them," said Lady Corbet, wildly. "The icy finger of death has marked the hour of my existence!" "Not so--my mother," replied Louise, attempting to speak with cheerfulness. "My hand shall minister to thy wants; my arm support thee; affection will teach me the means of relieving thy anguish; and in the bosom of her Louise, my mother shall yet find peace and happiness!" "Peace and happiness!" repeated Lady Corbet, franticly. "Oh, torture me not, by placing to my view blessings I must never enjoy! In thy bosom, peace and happiness may dwell, but not for me! Even now the grave is open to receive me, and all beyond is horror! Thee, I have injured--Corbet and his son--Ellenor too,--Blond and Eliza--shall point the finger of condemnation at me, and say--'Not one good action marked her life!'--Oh, let me live--Off with this fractured limb--Tear me to atoms: let me but live to atone for my crimes!--The account is too dark to answer before the Judge I have offended!" Louise shrunk aghast from her frantic mother, who, with convulsive eagerness, attempted to tear the bandages from her arm. Sir Henry endeavoured to restrain her.--"This must not be, my mother, you hasten the dissolution you so much dread." "Hence, audacious boy!" she angrily exclaimed. "Darest thou lay the hand of violence on thy parent! Now, indeed, thou meritest the hatred I have shown thee! Yet stay--stay: let me not add another sin to the number of my account! I believe thou lovest me, thou hast oft evinced it. Yet, not to thee can I fly for consolation; the injuries I have done thee, are too numerous, and alone sufficient to overwhelm me with perdition!" Mr. Talton drew her fevered hand from Sir Henry's, and gently pressing it, said, "Raise your heart in prayer, Lady Corbet, and seek for consolation in the mercy of Heaven!" "Can I form a prayer--or ask a blessing," said Lady Corbet, "when every action of my life is marked with vice? No, no--there is no mercy for me--I never afforded it!" "Lay your crimes at the feet of your Saviour," replied Mr. Talton, solemnly: "remember, he died for the sinner: and the first tear shed, of true repentance, restores you to the bosom of your God!" The frenzied eye of Lady Corbet rested with piercing keenness on that of Talton. "Repentance!" she ejaculated. "Oh, if that will avail me, deeply indeed will I repent. Yet save me--save me: let me not die! I will be patient--calm. But send for the surgeon; I no longer dread a mutilated frame: and it may not yet be too late to preserve existence!" Sir Henry hastily rose--"I will seek the surgeon this instant----" "Not you, Harry!" cried Lady Corbet, extending her hand to detain him. "Quit not my sight.--Little as I have loved you through life, I wish not at this moment to be deserted. Yet, send for the surgeon--and be quick; let me but live, and I will atone for all!"