Alas!
I would, at this moment, conceal it from you, but that it would be
most cruel to deceive you. It cannot be long before we must part;
let us talk of it, that our thoughts and our prayers may prepare us
to bear it.' His voice faltered, while Emily, still weeping, pressed
his hand close to her heart, which swelled with a convulsive sigh,
but she could not look up.
'Let me not waste these moments,' said St. Aubert, recovering
himself, 'I have much to say. There is a circumstance of solemn
consequence, which I have to mention, and a solemn promise to obtain
from you; when this is done I shall be easier. You have observed, my
dear, how anxious I am to reach home, but know not all my reasons for
this. Listen to what I am going to say.--Yet stay--before I say more
give me this promise, a promise made to your dying father!'--St.
Aubert was interrupted; Emily, struck by his last words, as if for
the first time, with a conviction of his immediate danger, raised her
head; her tears stopped, and, gazing at him for a moment with an
expression of unutterable anguish, a slight convulsion seized her,
and she sunk senseless in her chair.
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