have been tempted to mit。”
“If you could but be persuaded to think no more of it； aunt； and to regard me with kindness and forgiveness”
“You have a very bad disposition；” said she； “and one to this day I feel it impossible to understand： how for nine years you could be patient and quiescent under any treatment； and in the tenth break out all fire and violence； I can never prehend。”
“My disposition is not so bad as you think： I am passionate； but not vindictive。 Many a time； as a little child； I should have been glad to love you if you would have let me； and I long earnestly to be reconciled to you now： kiss me； aunt。”
I approached my cheek to her lips： she would not touch it。 She said I oppressed her by leaning over the bed； and again demanded water。 As I laid her down—for I raised her and supported her on my arm while she drank—I covered her ice…cold and clammy hand with mine： the feeble fingers shrank from my touch—the glazing eyes shunned my gaze。
“Love me； then； or hate me； as you will；” I said at last； “you have my full and free forgiveness： ask now for God’s； and be at peace。”
Poor； suffering woman！ it was too late for her to make now the effort to change her habitual frame of mind： living； she had ever hated me—dying； she must hate me still。
The nurse now entered； and Bessie followed。 I yet lingered half…an… hour longer； hoping to see some sign of amity： but she gave none。 She was fast relapsing into stupor； nor did her mind again rally： at twelve o’clock that night she died。 I was not present to close her eyes； nor were either of her daughters。 They came to tell us the next morning that all was over。 She was by that time laid out。 Eliza and I went to look at her： Georgiana； who had burst out into loud weeping；