Send quickly, Anne, send for Stephen Fern.'
Miss Anne sent a messenger to hasten Stephen; and after that the master
lay perfectly still, with closed eyes, as if he were treasuring up the
little strength remaining to him. The last sunset was over, and the
night-lamp was lighted once more; while Miss Anne sat beside him
watching, in an agony of prayer to God. There was no sound to be heard,
for every one in the house knew that the old man was dying, and they
kept a profound quietness throughout all the rooms. He had taken no
notice of anything since he asked for Stephen; but when a light rap was
heard at the door he opened his eyes, and turned his grey head round
anxiously to see whether he was come.
It was Stephen. He stood within the doorway, not liking to enter
farther, but looking straight forward at the master with a very pale and
sorrowful face, upon which there was no trace of triumph or hatred. Miss
Anne gazed earnestly at him, but she did not speak; she would not place
herself between him and his dying enemy now.
'Come here, Stephen,' said the master, in a voice of hopeless agony.
'When little Nan was lying dead, you said you would wait, and see what
God could do to me.
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