I shall die; oh!" Josephine left her mother and went to console Rose.
The baroness lost her temper at this last stroke of opposition.

"Now the truth comes out, Rose; this is selfishness.

Do not deceive YOURself--selfishness!" "Mamma!" "You are only waiting to leave me yourself.

Yet your eldest sister, forsooth, must be kept here for you,--till then." She added more gently, "Let me advise you to retire to your own room, and examine your heart fairly.

You will find there is a strong dash of egoism in all this." "If I do"-- "You will retract your opposition." "My heart won't let me; but I will despise myself, and be silent." And the young lady, who had dried her eyes the moment she was accused of selfishness, walked, head erect, from the room.