'Another night, and not in bed!' he said softly; 'I hoped you would be

more mindful of your promise to me. Why do you not take some rest?'

'Sleep has left me,' returned the old man. 'It is all with her!'

'It would pain her very much to know that you were watching thus,'

said the bachelor. 'You would not give her pain?'

I am not so sure of that, if it would only rouse her. She has slept so

very long. And yet I am rash to say so. It is a good and happy sleep -

eh?'

Indeed it is,' returned the bachelor. 'Indeed, indeed, it is!'

That's well! - and the waking - ' faltered the old man.

Happy too. Happier than tongue can tell, or heart of man conceive.'

They watched him as he rose and stole on tiptoe to the other chamber

where the lamp had been replaced. They listened as he spoke again

within its silent walls. They looked into the faces of each other, and no

man's cheek was free from tears. He came back, whispering that she

was still asleep, but that he thought she had moved. It was her hand,

he said - a little - a very, very little - but he was pretty sure she had

moved it - perhaps in seeking his. He had known her do that, before

now, though in the deepest sleep the while. And when he had said

this, he dropped into his chair again, and clasping his hands above

his head, uttered a cry never to be forgotten.

The poor schoolmaster motioned to the bachelor that he would come

on the other side, and speak to him. They gently unlocked his fingers,

which he had twisted in his grey hair, and pressed them in their own.

He will hear me,' said the schoolmaster, 'I am sure. He will hear either

me or you if we beseech him. She would, at all times.'

'I will hear any voice she liked to hear,' cried the old man. 'I love all

she loved!'

'I know you do,' returned the schoolmaster. 'I am certain of it. Think of

her; think of all the sorrows and afflictions you have shared together;

of all the trials, and all the peaceful pleasures, you have jointly

known.'

'I do. I do. I think of nothing else.'

I would have you think of nothing else to-night - of nothing but those

things which will soften your heart, dear friend, and open it to old

The Old Curiosity Shop