They were the last words he ever uttered. Falling back on his pillow, he
drew Fanny's face to his, and with his last breath kissed her quivering
lips, and all was over. Sadly Mr. Miller closed the eyes of his departed
friend, and smoothing the covering about him, left him to the care of the
servants. A few hours later, Fanny entered the room with Dr. Lacey, again
to look on the face of Mr. Wilmot. The sun was just rising, and its first
red rays fell upon the marble features of the dead. There was on his face
an expression so calm and heavenly that Fanny held her breath while
looking at him, lest she should disturb his peaceful repose. At length she
kissed his cold forehead, and silently left the room which contained the
pale sleeper.
In the course of a few hours she returned home, bearing the sad tidings,
which was received by her mother with a burst of tears; but Julia
preserved the same indifference which had been manifested throughout all
Mr. Wilmot's illness. Hard-hearted as she was, there came a time in after
years when that proud head was bowed with grief, and those dark eyes were
bedimmed by tears of penitence, which could not atone for the past; for
they were of no avail to bring back the dead from their silent resting
place.