I want to see
it, but I can't!" cried he, fiercely. "Have my children offended Heaven?
They will starve--they will die! If I was Heaven, I'd be just, and send
an angel to take these children's part. They cried to me for bread--I had
no bread; so I gave them hard words. The moment I had done that I knew it
was all over. God knows it took a long while to break my heart; but it is
broken at last; quite, quite broken! broken! broken!"
And the poor thing laid his head upon the table, and sobbed, beyond all
power of restraint. The children cried round him, scarce knowing why; and
Mrs. Triplet could only say, "My poor husband!" and prayed and wept upon
the couch where she lay.
It was at this juncture that a lady, who had knocked gently and unheard,
opened the door, and with a light step entered the apartment; but no
sooner had she caught sight of Triplet's anguish, than, saying hastily,
"Stay, I forgot something," she made as hasty an exit.
This gave Triplet a moment to recover himself; and Mrs. Woffington, whose
lynx eye had comprehended all at a glance, and who had determined at once
what line to take, came flying in again, saying:
"Wasn't somebody inquiring for an angel? Here I am. See, Mr. Triplet;"
and she showed him a note, which said: "Madam, you are an angel. From a
perfect stranger," explained she; "so it must be true."
"Mrs.
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