"You will be very kind to her, darling, for my sake, because you have
loved me so much, and call her by my name--Madaline. Tell her about me
when she grows up--how young I was to die, how dearly I loved you, and
how I held her in my arms. You will not forget?"
"No," he said, gently; "I shall not forget."
The hapless young mother kissed the tiny rosebud face, all the passion
and anguish of her love shining in her dying eyes; and then the nurse
carried the babe away.
"Hubert," said Lady Charlewood, in a low, soft, whisper, "may I die in
your arms, darling?"
She laid her head on his breast, and looked at him with the sweet
content of a little child.
"I am so young," she said, gently, "to die--to leave you Hubert. I have
been so happy with you--I love you so much."
"Oh, my wife, my wife!" he groaned, "how am I to bear it?"
The white hands softly clasped his own.
"You will bear it in time," she said. "I know how you will miss me; but
you have the baby and your father--you will find enough to fill your
life. But you will always love me best--I know that, Hubert. My heart
feels so strange; it seems to stop, and then to beat slowly.
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