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loves it still！'
'Follow her！' The shadow swept upon the track she had taken； like a
cloud。
He joined in the pursuit； he kept close to her； he looked into her face。
He saw the same fierce and terrible expression mingling with her love； and
kindling in her eyes。 He heard her say； 'Like Lilian！ To be changed like
Lilian！' and her speed redoubled。
O； for something to awaken her！ For any sight； or sound； or scent； to
call up tender recollections in a brain on fire！ For any gentle image of
the Past； to rise before her！
'I was her father！ I was her father！' cried the old man； stretching out
his hands to the dark shadows flying on above。 'Have mercy on her； and on
me！ Where does she go？ Turn her back！ I was her father！'
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But they only pointed to her； as she hurried on； and said； 'To
desperation！ Learn it from the creature dearest to your heart！' A
hundred voices echoed it。 The air was made of breath expended in those
words。 He seemed to take them in； at every gasp he drew。 They were
everywhere； and not to be escaped。 And still she hurried on； the same
light in her eyes； the same words in her mouth； 'Like Lilian！ To be
changed like Lilian！' All at once she stopped。
'Now； turn her back！' exclaimed the old man； tearing his white hair。
'My child！ Meg！ Turn her back！ Great Father； turn her back！'
In her own scanty shawl； she wrapped the baby warm。 With her
fevered hands； she smoothed its limbs； composed its face； arranged its
mean attire。 In her wasted arms she folded it； as though she never would
resign it more。 And with her dry lips； kissed it in a final pang； and last
long agony of Love。
Putting its tiny hand up to her neck； and holding it there； within her
dress； next to her distracted heart； she set its sleeping face against her：
closely； steadily； against her： and sped onward to the River。
To the rolling River； swift and dim； where Winter Night sat brooding
like the last dark thoughts of many who had sought a refuge there before
her。 Where scattered lights upon the banks gleamed sullen； red； and dull；
as torches that were burning there； to show the way to Death。 Where no
abode of living people cast its shadow； on the deep； impenetrable；
melancholy shade。
To the River！ To that portal of Eternity； her desperate footsteps
tended with the swiftness of its rapid waters running to the sea。 He tried to
touch her as she passed him； going down to its dark level： but； the wild
distempered form； the fierce and terrible love； the desperation that had left
all human check or hold behind； swept by him like the wind。
He followed her。 She paused a moment on the brink； before the
dreadful plunge。 He fell down on his knees； and in a shriek addressed the
figures in the Bells now hovering above them。
'I have learnt it！' cried the old man。 'From the creature dearest to my
heart！ O； save her； save her！'
He could wind his fingers in her dress； could hold it！ As the words
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The Chimes
escaped his lips； he felt his sense of touch return； and knew that he
detained her。
The figures looked down steadfastly upon him。
'I have learnt it！' cried the old man。 'O； have mercy on me in this
hour； if； in my love for her； so young and good； I slandered Nature in the
breasts of mothers rendered desperate！ Pity my presumption； wickedness；
and ignorance； and save her。' He felt his hold relaxing。 They were
silent still。
'Have mercy on her！' he exclaimed； 'as one in whom this dreadful
crime has sprung from Love perverted； from the strongest； deepest Love
we fallen creatures know！ Think what her misery must have been； when
such seed bears such fruit！ Heaven meant her to be good。 There is no
loving mother on the earth who might not come to this； if such a life had
gone before。 O； have mercy on my child； who； even at this pass； means
mercy to her own； and dies herself； and perils her immortal soul； to save
it！'
She was in his arms。 He held her now。 His strength was like a
giant's。
'I see the Spirit of the Chimes among you！' cried the old man； singling
out the child； and speaking in some inspiration； which their looks
conveyed to him。 'I know that our inheritance is held in store for us by
Time。 I know there is a sea of Time to rise one day； before which all who
wrong us or oppress us will be swept away like leaves。 I see it； on the
flow！ I know that we must trust and hope； and neither doubt ourselves；
nor doubt the good in one another。 I have learnt it from the creature
dearest to my heart。 I clasp her in my arms again。 O Spirits； merciful and
good； I take your lesson to my breast along with her！ O Spirits； merciful
and good； I am grateful！'
He might have said more； but； the Bells； the old familiar Bells； his
own dear； constant； steady friends； the Chimes； began to ring the joy…peals
for a New Year： so lustily； so merrily； so happily； so gaily； that he leapt
upon his feet； and broke the spell that bound him。
'And whatever you do； father；' said Meg； 'don't eat tripe again；
without asking some doctor whether it's likely to agree with you； for how
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you HAVE been going on； Good gracious！'
She was working with her needle； at the little table by the fire；
dressing her simple gown with ribbons for her wedding。 So quietly
happy； so blooming and youthful； so full of beautiful promise； that he
uttered a great cry as if it were an Angel in his house； then flew to clasp
her in his arms。
But； he caught his feet in the newspaper； which had fallen on the
hearth； and somebody came rushing in between them。
'No！' cried the