hitherto inexplicable cause of her silence and sorrow, and retired perplexed and full of pain.
Notwithstanding his great love for her, so repugnant was his feeling to her misfortune that he could not master it. He went up and down distracted; flying from the noise of the city to the quiet of the forest, and from the quiet of the forest back to the city.
Gertrude went home and fell sick. Knowing that Claudius must have inquired for her and found the truth, and guessing his feelings by his absence, she besought Heaven to die. On the seventh day, when excessive grief had worn her heart and spirits nearly to breaking, and the leeches had reported that her dissolution was at hand, she desired one to copy from her words as follows:—
"My dear Claudius;
"Though I could not live for you, I can die for you. I thank Heaven that the tongues about me utter my knell: I am descending into the pit. I must first beg pardon for the pain that I have caused you, though it no longer exists, as is manifest by your indifference; yet, as I die your loyal servant, sprinkle a few flowers on my grave, in remembrance.
"Gertrude."
