'
'Ah, sir! at my age I must not expect that!' replied the old man, and
he paused: 'I can scarcely wish it,' he resumed, 'for I trust that
whenever I die I shall go to heaven, where my poor wife is gone
before me. I can sometimes almost fancy I see her of a still moon-
light night, walking among these shades she loved so well. Do you
believe, monsieur, that we shall be permitted to revisit the earth,
after we have quitted the body?'
Emily could no longer stifle the anguish of her heart; her tears fell
fast upon her father's hand, which she yet held. He made an effort
to speak, and at length said in a low voice, 'I hope we shall be
permitted to look down on those we have left on the earth, but I can
only hope it. Futurity is much veiled from our eyes, and faith and
hope are our only guides concerning it. We are not enjoined to
believe, that disembodied spirits watch over the friends they have
loved, but we may innocently hope it. It is a hope which I will
never resign,' continued he, while he wiped the tears from his
daughter's eyes, 'it will sweeten the bitter moments of death!'
Tears fell slowly on his cheeks; La Voisin wept too, and there was a
pause of silence.
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