CHAPTER XX 



: HE knows, who gave that love sublime, 

 And gave that strength of feeling great, 

 Above all human estimate." 



WILLIAM WORDSWORTH. 



BUT, in spite of all that those who so 

 dearly loved and so earnestly sought 

 to save me could do, my strength 

 failed as the hot summer days drew on apace 

 and my hold on this beautiful world was 

 loosening. I had made a long, brave fight 

 for life. 



Poor mamma watched and tended me 

 day after day; she had no heart for the sails, 

 the rides, the laughter of her guests, since I 

 could take no part with them. Early and 

 late she strove to ease my pain, and papa 

 strove to help her. 



I would lie on my pillow beside her at 

 night, and look out on the lonely sea, that 

 seemed to lead so far, far away in the moon- 

 light, and try to bear my pain and loneliness 

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