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FIRST MAID.

I thought thou wert behind me: mercy on us!

A kind of qualm came o'er me, when I look'd
On all within this silent dismal room,
And to that corner where the death-bed stood,—
A sudden qualm came o'er me.

SECOND MAID.

Let us be busy—there's no time to lose;

The provost and his daughter will be here
Ere we have done our work.

[They take gums and dried herbs from the basket, which they set fire to by the lamp, and fumigate the chamber, speaking the while occasionally.]

FIRST MAID.

The Lord preserve us! 'tis an awful thing.

SECOND MAID.

It was a sudden call: so young,—so good!

FIRST MAID.

Ay, many a sore heart thinks of her this night.

SECOND MAID.

And he, the most of all, that noble gentleman:

Lord pardon him for being what he is!

FIRST MAID.

And what is that?

SECOND MAID.

A rank and Roman papist.