“She died this morning very soon after you left,” said Oriana, “without pain and I think without sorrow, for she wore that same sweet smile that you see now frozen upon her lips.  Oh, Beverly, I am sorry you brought him here!” she added, in a lower tone, glancing with a shudder at Philip Searle, who stood looking with a frown out at the lattice, and stopping the sunbeam from coming into the room.  “It seems,” she continued, “as if his presence brought a curse that would drag upon the angels’ wings that are bearing her to heaven.  Though, thank God, she is beyond his power to harm her now!” and she knelt beside the pillow and pressed her lips upon the cold, white brow.

“She wished to see him, Oriana, before she died,” said Beverly, “and I promised to bring him; and yet I am glad she passed away before his coming, for I am sure he could bring no peace with him for the dying, and his presence now is but an insult to the dead.”

When he had spoken, there was silence for a while, which was broken by the sudden boom of a distant cannon.  They all started at the sound, for it awakened them from mournful memories, to yet perhaps more solemn thoughts of what was to come before that bright sun should rise upon the morrow.  Beverly turned slowly to where Philip stood, and pointed sternly at the death-bed.

“You have seen enough, if you have dared to look at all,” he said.  “I have not the power, nor the will, to punish.  A soldier’s death to-day is what you can best pray for, that you may not live to think of this hereafter.  She sent for you to forgive you, but died and you are unforgiven.  Bad as you are, I pity you that you must go to battle haunted by the remembrance of this murder that you have done.”

Philip half turned with an angry curl upon his lip, as if prepared for some harsh answer; but he saw the white thin face and folded hands, and left the room without a word.

“Farewell! dear sister,” said Beverly, clasping the weeping girl in his arms.  “I have already overstaid the hour, and must spur hard to be at my post in time.  God bless you! it may be I shall never see you again; if so, I leave you to God and my country.  But I trust all will be well.”

“Oh, Beverly! come back to me, my brother; I am alone in the world without you.  I would not have you swerve from your duty, although death came with it; but yet, remember that I am alone without you, and be not rash or reckless.  I will watch and pray for you beside this death-bed, Beverly, while you are fighting, and may God be with you.”

Beverly summoned an old negress to the room, and consigned his sister to her care.  Descending the stairs rapidly, he leaped upon his horse, and waving his hand to Philip, who was already mounted, they plunged along the valley, and ascending the crest of the hill, beheld, while they still spurred on, the vast army in motion before them, while far off in the vanward, from time to time, the dull, heavy booming of artillery told that the work was already begun.