And George--and--" she paused, her lip quivered, and her eye sank to
the floor.
"And Dunwoodie!" added the trooper. "Would you speak of Dunwoodie?"
"Name him not," said Isabella, sinking back, and concealing her face in
her garments. "Leave me, Lawton--prepare poor George for this
unexpected blow."
The trooper continued for a little while gazing, in melancholy interest,
at the convulsive shudderings of her frame, which the scanty covering
could not conceal, and withdrew to meet his comrade. The interview
between Singleton and his sister was painful, and, for a moment,
Isabella yielded to a burst of tenderness; but, as if aware that her
hours were numbered, she was the first to rouse herself to exertion. At
her earnest request, the room was left to herself, the captain, and
Frances. The repeated applications of the surgeon, to be permitted to
use professional aid, were steadily rejected, and, at length, he was
obliged unwillingly to retire.
"Raise me," said the dying young woman, "and let me look on a face that
I love, once more." Frances silently complied, and Isabella turned her
eyes in sisterly affection upon George. "It matters but little, my
brother--a few hours must close the scene."
"Live, Isabella, my sister, my only sister!" cried the youth, with a
burst of sorrow that he could not control.
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