Does any germ of bliss survive within her ? Hark ! an eager knocking st Nurse Toothaker 's door . She starts from her drowsy reverie , sets aside the empty tumbler and teaspoon , and lights a lamp at the dim embers of the fire . `` Rap , rap , rap ! '' again , and she hurries adown the staircase , wondering which of her friends can be at death 's door now , since there is such an earnest messenger at Nurse Toothaker 's . Again the peal resounds just as her hand is on the lock . `` Be quick , Nurse Toothaker ! '' cries a man on the doorstep . `` Old General Fane is taken with the gout in his stomach and has sent for you to watch by his death-bed . Make haste , for there is no time to lose . '' -- `` Fane ! Edward Fane ! And has he sent for me at last ? I am ready . I will get on my cloak and begone . So , '' adds the sable-gowned , ashen-visaged , funereal old figure , `` Edward Fane remembers his Rosebud . '' Our question is answered . There is a germ of bliss within her . Her long-hoarded constancy , her memory of the bliss that was remaining amid the gloom of her after-life like a sweet-smelling flower in a coffin , is a symbol that all may be renewed .
In some happier clime the XXXXX may revive again with all the dewdrops in its bosom .
Fane Rosebud Toothaker after-life begone death doorstep embers fire stomach