The Last Man


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"
I understand thee, my kind love," said Idris, "thus--pale as thou art  
with sorrow at our loss; trembling and aghast, though wouldest assuage my  
grief by thy dear assurances. I am not happy," (and the tears flashed and  
fell from under her down-cast lids), "for we are inmates of a miserable  
prison, and there is no joy for us; but the true love I bear you will  
render this and every other loss endurable."  
"
We have been happy together, at least," I said; "no future misery can  
deprive us of the past. We have been true to each other for years, ever  
since my sweet princess-love came through the snow to the lowly cottage  
of the poverty-striken heir of the ruined Verney. Even now, that eternity  
is before us, we take hope only from the presence of each other. Idris,  
do you think, that when we die, we shall be divided?"  
"
Die! when we die! what mean you? What secret lies hid from me in those  
dreadful words?"  
"Must we not all die, dearest?" I asked with a sad smile.  
"
Gracious God! are you ill, Lionel, that you speak of death? My only  
friend, heart of my heart, speak!"  
"I do not think," replied I, "that we have any of us long to live; and when  
the curtain drops on this mortal scene, where, think you, we shall find  
ourselves?" Idris was calmed by my unembarrassed tone and look; she  
answered:--"You may easily believe that during this long progress of the  
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443 444 445 446 447

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