one
after one
Then as I stole towards him softly and slowly , he pressed his lips on the long fair tresses that streamed wild over his breast , motioned to a nurse who stood beside his pillow to take the child away , and in a voice clearer than I could have expected in one on whose brow lay the unmistakable hand of death , he bade the nurse and the children quit the room . All went sorrowfully , but silently , save the little girl , who , borne off in the nurse 's arms , continued to sob as if her heart were breaking . I was not prepared for a scene so affecting ; it moved me to the quick . My eyes wistfully followed the children so soon to be orphans , as one after one went out into the dark chill shadow , and amidst the bloodless forms of the dumb brute nature , ranged in grisly vista beyond the death-room of man . And when the last infant shape had vanished , and the door closed with a jarring click , my sight wandered loiteringly around the chamber before I could bring myself to fix it on the broken form , beside which I now stood in all that glorious vigour of frame which had fostered the pride of my mind . In the moment consumed by my mournful survey , the whole aspect of the place impressed itself ineffaceably on lifelong remembrance . Through the high , deepsunken casement , across which the thin , faded curtain was but half drawn , the moonlight rushed , and then settled on the floor in one shroud of white glimmer , lost under the gloom of the death-bed .