shoulddiefirst——’
Shepausedagain。Thecolourthathadspreadoverhercheekssuddenly，assuddenlyleftthem。Thehandonthealbumresigneditshold，trembledalittle，andmovedthebookawayfromher。Shelookedatmeforaninstant——thenturnedherheadasideinthechair。Herhandkerchieffelltothefloorasshechangedherposition，andshehurriedlyhidherfacefrommeinherhands。
Sad！Torememberher，asIdid，theliveliest，happiestchildthateverlaughedthedaythrough，andtoseehernow，intheflowerofherageandherbeauty，sobrokenandsobroughtdownasthis！
InthedistressthatshecausedmeIforgottheyearsthathadpassed，andthechangetheyhadmadeinourpositiontowardsoneanother。Imovedmychairclosetoher，andpickedupherhandkerchieffromthecarpet，anddrewherhandsfromherfacegently。`Don’tcry，mylove，’Isaid，anddriedthetearsthatweregatheringinhereyeswithmyownhand，asifshehadbeenthelittleLauraFairlieoftenlongyearsago。
ItwasthebestwayIcouldhavetakentocomposeher。Shelaidherheadonmyshoulder，andsmiledfaintlythroughhertears。