Poor fellow, he has been for so many years such a sad sufferer, that a peaceful death must indeed be a blessed release." "It was a peaceful death, Lucy writes, mournfully but resignedly; she says she cannot be sufficiently thankful that he was spared long enough to see his daughters would both be happy under her charge.

That she had gained their young affections, and that, as far as mortal eye could see, by leaving them entirely under her guardianship and maternal care, he had provided for their happiness.

He said this almost with his last breath; and poor Lucy says that, among her many consolations in this trying time, this assertion was not one of the least precious to her heart." "No doubt it was.

To be the friend and adopted mother of his children must be one of the many blessings created for herself by her noble conduct in youth.

I am glad now my prophecy was not verified, and that she never became his wife." "Did you ever think she would, uncle ?" asked Ellen, surprised.
"I fancied Seymour must have discovered her affection, and then admiration on his part would have done the rest.