When the physician was first called in to attend Jane, he strictly
forbad any person sleeping with her: Elizabeth, therefore, removed to a
small camp bed, which was placed by her sister.
A few mornings after Mrs. Adair's visit to Mrs. Vincent, Jane suddenly
awoke; and in an earnest, quick tone of voice, begged that her sister
would come to her. "But first draw aside the window curtain," said she,
"That is right. Now come into my bed--only this morning--never--never
again."
Surprised at a request so unusual, Elizabeth instantly obeyed. "Do not
sit up, sister, nor creep from me; lay your head upon my pillow."
Jane now folded her arms round her sister's neck, and kissed her
tenderly.--"This is my first and last proof of affection! O, sister!
where--and when shall we meet again?"
The sun had risen, and gilded every part of the room. Jane raised
herself, as if by magic. "Let me behold every thing--for I shall never
behold any objects upon earth again! This day my soul will be required
by my Heavenly Father! Ah, my soul! it is an awful thing to die; even
with hope and trust in thy Almighty Power! But Thou art mighty to
strike,--merciful and gracious in raising thy servants unto glory."
Jane now paused; other thoughts seemed to arise. Her glazed eyes
wandered from object to object. "Ah! there is my writing-desk; give that
to my mother! There is my Bible; that is for my dear little favourite!
Here is my watch; but I cannot see the minute finger move. It is of no
consequence: time will soon be over! Keep it, my dear Elizabeth, and
when you look upon it, remember we are to meet again!--Ah! thou bright
luminary!" she exclaimed, with fervency, "I hail thee, this, my last
morning upon earth, as the evidence of that Being, who will lead me
through the valley of the shadow of death, to never-ending glory! What
is this life, my dearest Elizabeth, when we come to die? But where is my
mother? I am weak--very weak, and faint."
"Let me support you, dear Jane," said Elizabeth, trembling with emotion.
"Well, sister," said Jane, faintly, "you shall support me. I will die in
your arms!"
Jane dropped in a state of insensibility upon her pillow. Elizabeth rang
the bell; and the next minute Mrs. Adair was in the room. She stepped to
the side of the bed where her youngest daughter lay; and, stooping,
listened to hear her breathe. "My affectionate, my dutiful child!" Here
she ceased, for tears checked her utterance. Jane sighed deeply; her
eyes gradually opened, and, at length, rested upon her mother: by slow
degrees recollection returned.
"Where could my thoughts be!" she exclaimed in hurried accents. "Is my
mother here? Ah, yes! I behold her! I did not know you, indeed I did
not! But bless me; bless your daughter."
Mrs. Adair tenderly embraced Jane; and in faltering accents blessed her.
"My dearest, kindest mother, be comforted! We are parting--but to meet
again! The trial will soon be over! My hope is fixed upon the promises
of a merciful Redeemer! I am only going a little--a very little while
before you! How joyful is the thought, that we are not separating for
ever!--this is my joy," and her eyes brightened as she spoke, "that I
have reverenced my God, and loved my mother. But this pain;--O, it is
violent!--Mother--"...Here the voice ceased; not a sigh, not a whisper
was heard.
Mrs. Adair, who had been supporting her daughter, now gently placed her
head upon the pillow, and silently led Elizabeth out of the room.
At the door of her own apartment she saw Mrs. Lloyd; and desiring her to
take the charge of Elizabeth, who appeared almost convulsed with
anguish, instantly returned into the chamber she had so recently
quitted. After indulging that grief, which the most unfeeling in some
measure experience, when they behold the lifeless remains of a being
they had loved, she calmly proceeded to accomplish the desire of the
departed, in preparing her for that narrow spot, which confines all that
was mighty, rich, noble, excellent--the despised of the world, the
neglected of the world; that spot which is the boundary of ambition, and
the sure refuge for the distressed.