"It is strange," I murmured. "Terribly strange! I can't make it out. All the time, for two whole nights and days, I have thought of it; and the more I think the darker it all grows. Oh, if she could only speak; but that will never be again--" Her voice broke here, and clasping her knees tighter, she began rocking to and fro, uttering faint, dry moans, that went to my heart. Lottie had not shed a tear since her mistress's death. "Never again--never again!" she kept whispering. "Don't Lottie," I said; "it breaks my heart to hear you go on in this way." She looked at me earnestly; then dropped her face and said, with infinite pathos,-- "Oh! that _my_ heart could break!" I bent over her. "Be comforted, Lottie. If our friend could speak, this is what she would say--" "Don't, don't. Who could be comforted, and she lying there like a beautiful lily broken off at the stem? Look at her, Miss Hyde, and see if the smile is there yet." "Yes, Lottie, there is a heavenly look on her face. See for yourself." "No, no, I cannot stand it; in the morning I will kiss her hands for the last time. Let her sleep with the angels to-night; I won't come between her and them. They will take care of her now she don't want me." "Oh, Lottie!" She shook her head disconsolately, then it sunk on her knees once more, and was not lifted again all night; still I do not think she slept a moment. Jessie came to her mother's room late that night. Lottie did not move; I arose to go, knowing how sacred were the rights of an only child; but she asked me to stay, saying--oh, how sadly--that her mother's true friend could not be in the way even there. I told her that Lottie was watching, and had not once left her place by the bed. She went round to where the girl was crouching and kissed that portion of the forehead left exposed by the folded arms. Then, for the first time, I heard low sobs break from the faithful creature, and felt glad to know that she was crying. "She is happier far than I am," said Jessie, with unutterable sadness. "It seems as if I should never shed tears again." She came back to where I was sitting, and sinking on the footstool that always stood near the chair, her head fell on my lap, her hands clasped themselves under the pale forehead, and thus she lay, heavy and still, weary with pain, but sleepless, till the day dawned. That morning Mrs. Lee was to be buried. With the first gray of dawn, we heard Mr. Lee's step coming up from the library below, where he had passed the night. Jessie and I arose, and, bending over that calm face, left our solemn kisses on the lips and went away, giving her up to the man she had loved so devotedly. Even Lottie was aroused by his approach, and, rising to her feet, went heavily into her own little room, which was soon filled with bitter sobs.