was stirring nimbly in its cage; and the strong heart of its child

mistress was mute and motionless for ever.

Where were the traces of her early cares, her sufferings, and fatigues?

All gone. Sorrow was dead indeed in her, but peace and perfect

happiness were born; imaged in her tranquil beauty and profound

repose.

And still her former self lay there, unaltered in this change. Yes. The

old fireside had smiled upon that same sweet face; it had passed, like

a dream, through haunts of misery and care; at the door of the poor

schoolmaster on the summer evening, before the furnace fire upon the

cold wet night, at the still bedside of the dying boy, there had been the

same mild lovely look. So shall we know the angels in their majesty,

after death.

The old man held one languid arm in his, and had the small hand

tight folded to his breast, for warmth. It was the hand she had

stretched out to him with her last smile - the hand that had led him

on, through all their wanderings. Ever and anon he pressed it to his

lips; then hugged it to his breast again, murmuring that it was

warmer now; and, as he said it, he looked, in agony, to those who

stood around, as if imploring them to help her.

She was dead, and past all help, or need of it. The ancient rooms she

had seemed to fill with life, even while her own was waning fast - the

garden she had tended - the eyes she had gladdened - the noiseless

haunts of many a thoughtful hour - the paths she had trodden as it

were but yesterday - could know her never more.

'It is not,' said the schoolmaster, as he bent down to kiss her on the

cheek, and gave his tears free vent, 'it is not on earth that Heaven's

justice ends. Think what earth is, compared with the World to which

her young spirit has winged its early flight; and say, if one deliberate

wish expressed in solemn terms above this bed could call her back to

life, which of us would utter it!'

The Old Curiosity Shop