The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 235: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

228 THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. © Mother!” sobbed the unhappy girl, “‘ not a word like that! Forgiveness! what have I to forgive ¢ Your life has been a life of sacrifice to your children— a daily offering on the altar of maternal love. Oh, at this moment, how many memories of neglected duties, thoughtless words, and disobedient wishes, rise to accuse me! Forgive your child,” she added; “ forgive her, that she is not all your excellent example should have made her? There, mother, lay your hand upon my head, and bless me! God will hear a dying mother’s prayer, and confirm the blessing !” With an earnestness which gave dignity to the action, the widow placed her hand upon the head of the fair girl, and, with the gushing tenderness of a mother’s heart, breathed a last blessing on her child, who received it with that deep reverence and awe which an act so solemn demands. Her heart felt lighter after the benediction: for, although the faults of Amy—and what child is without faults towards its parent ’—had been those of childhood, the approach of death mag- nified their importance. A thousand, till then, forgotten duties and neglects occurred to her recollection with painful freshness. “Amy,” said the widow, ‘‘ raise me! I would not quit the world, and leave a mother’s most important duty unfulfilled. There, that will do,” she added, as her daughter raised her from her pillow. ‘ Now let me lean my head upon your bosom—yours has a hundred times reposed on mine. Now listen to me.” ecomnuicloooks (SO