you are going to say; is there really no hope? I feared it would be so." Father Hudson's look of tender sympathy confirmed her worst suspicions, and she burst into tears. He said all he could to comfort and console her; and told her that she must summon to her aid all that energy and resolution which he knew were peculiar to her character, and which he secretly felt sure she would so much need to support her in the trial he foresaw must come upon her. He gave her his blessing, and told her to unite her sufferings with those of our Lady of Dolours, and to pray for grace and strength to bear them. They then returned to the sick-room. Father Hudson knelt by the bedside and said some prayers, to which all responded. The venerable priest then left them, promising to return next morning, should he not be sent for earlier. Agnes was again perfectly calm, and attended with strict minuteness to all the doctor's directions. Edith aided her with sisterly affection, until Herbert came to take her away; and as they returned home, she little knew with what painful interest her brother listened to the account of the troubles at the cottage. Father Hudson had that morning received a letter from his Bishop, desiring that he would give himself a month of entire relaxation for the benefit of his failing health; during his absence all necessary duties would be performed by a priest from a neighbouring mission. In answer to this letter, the good priest now requested per mission to remain at least a week longer, as, if Mrs. Falkland died, he wished to be with her to the last. 'Agnes sat up with her mother all that night, anxiously watching for the slightest token of returning consciousness. Edith had sent Mrs. Percival's maid, who was an experienced nurse, to relieve her; but nothing could induce her to take any rest. Towards morning the invalid grew rather restless, and turning to Agnes, appeared to recognise her. "Has he come, my darling?" she murmured in a feeble tone of voice. Agnes was at a loss to understand to whom she alluded. she. "Whom do you want to see, mamma?" asked "Father Hudson will be here after Mass. It is now five o'clock; so that you will see him in about three hours. Do you find yourself very ill?” "Yes, dear; but I was speaking of Walter, it is so long since we have seen or heard of him. Will he not come to see me while I am ill?" "He does not yet know that you are worse, dear mamma; but I will write to him to-day." "What is the day of the month, Agnes?" "It is the twenty-ninth of March." "Then it is nearly a month since we heard from him," said the poor mother with a deep sigh; "and he has not yet answered the letter in which told him that I was taken ill." you Agnes was silent. Mrs. Falkland resumed after a pause. "Agnes, I fear I shall never see him again; there must be some grave reason for his not writing; and besides which, I feel that I shall not last very long. I have great consolation in the thought that if my noble boy is dead, he has received the crown of martyrdom." Agnes's tears silently flowed; but she forbore to say anything further on this anxious subject, lest she should agitate her mother. Mrs. Falkland had spoken with the greatest difficulty, her speech having been impaired by her second attack of paralysis. Father Hudson came at the appointed time, and heard her confession; but he delayed giving the last Sacraments, as the danger was not immediate. In the course of the morning Edith came, accompanied by Frances; they brought with them many little delicacies and comforts that Agnes was unable to procure, and which Edith thought would be acceptable to the invalid. F CHAPTER VIII. REQUIESCAT IN PACE. "Vital spark of heavenly flame, POPE. MRS. FALKLAND continued in the same state for several days, and Edith took care that Agnes was not over-fatigued with nursing. Lydia Wilson had called frequently to see Agnes and inquire after her mother. At length, one day, Mrs. Falkland being a little better, Agnes asked Lydia to go up and see her; and the latter, seizing an opportunity when Agnes was out of the room, spoke to Mrs. Falkland on a subject which she had for some time wished to bring forward. She told her that she had lately heard rumours to the effect that Captain Percival was attached to her daughter; and that knowing how disagreeable such a report would be to Agnes, she thought it advisable to tell Mrs. Falkland, that she might put the former on her guard, and have the report con tradicted before it reached the ears of the family at the Hall. Mrs. Falkland was much annoyed when she heard this, and resolved to tell Agnes, in order that, if possible, rumours might be stopped which she felt sure were entirely without foundation, and which would be in the highest degree disagreeable to all parties. It was a painful duty for the mother to inform her daughter of what she had heard, knowing the friendship which existed between her and Edith; and although of course that friendship would be continued, a difficulty would naturally arise regarding her hitherto frequent visits to the Hall. Agnes was much surprised and distressed when her mother spoke to her on the subject, and agreed with her in the opinion that the whole thing must be entirely groundless, but told her that henceforth she would avoid meeting Captain Percival as much as possible. Her mother advised her on no account to speak to Edith about it; which, indeed, Agnes had no inclination to do. After this Mrs. Falkland appeared to rally for a few days, and Agnes even began to entertain some hopes of her recovery; but the doctor told her that she must place no reliance on this seeming improvement, as he considered that her mother could not last many weeks. She soon saw that he was right; for instead of continuing to get better, the invalid sank daily. One lovely spring evening, Agnes and Rose had prepared a beautiful little altar in the sick |