THE COFFIN MAKEK. 87 



compare that wretched man's voice. He held me with a force 

 almost supernatural ; but his tongue uttered supplications in a 

 feeble monotonous tone, and with the most humble and beseech- 

 ing manner. * Leave him,' exclaimed he, * leave him a little 

 while longer. He will forgive me; I know he will. He spoke 

 that horrible word to rouse my conscience. But I heard him 

 and came back to him. I would have toiled and bled for him ; 

 he knows that well. Hush ! hush ! I cannot hear his voice for 

 my mother's sobs ; but I know he will forgive me. Oh ! father, 

 do not refuse 1 I am humble — I am penitent. Father, I have 

 sinned against Heaven and before thee — father, I have sinned ! 

 Oh ! mother, he is cursing me again. He is lifting his hand to 

 curse me — his right hand. Look, mother, look ! Save me, 

 Oh, God ! my father curses me on his dying bed ! Save me, 



oh ! ' The unfinished word resolved itself into a low, hollow 



groan, and he fell back insensible. I would have assisted him, 

 but his mother waved me back. * Better so, better so,' she re- 

 peated hurriedly ; it is the mercy of God which has caused this 

 — do you do your duty, and I will do mine,' and she continued 

 to kneel and support the head of her son, while we fastened and 

 secured down the coffin. At length all was finished, and then 

 and not till then we carried the wretched youth from the chamber 

 of death, to one as dark, as gloomy, and as scantily furnished, but 

 having a wood fire burning in the grate, and a bed with ragged 

 curtains at one end of it. And here, in comparative comfort, the 

 landlady allowed him to be placed, even though she saw little 

 chance of her lodgers being able to pay for the change. Into the 

 glass of water held to his parched lips, as he recovered his senses, 

 I poured a sufficient quantity of the opiate to produce slumber, 

 and had the satisfaction of hearing his mother fervently thank 

 God, as still half unconscious, he swallowed the draught. I 

 thought he would not have survived the shock he had received ; 

 but I was mistaken. The merchant was buried and forgotten ; 

 the son lived, and we met again in a far, far different scene." 



