"I knew," he continued, "you would do me good in some way, at some

time;--I saw it in your eyes when I first beheld you: their

expression and smile did not"--(again he stopped)--"did not" (he

proceeded hastily) "strike delight to my very inmost heart so for

nothing. People talk of natural sympathies; I have heard of good

genii: there are grains of truth in the wildest fable. My

cherished preserver, goodnight!"

Strange energy was in his voice, strange fire in his look.

"I am glad I happened to be awake," I said: and then I was going.

"What! you WILL go?"

"I am cold, sir."

"Cold? Yes,--and standing in a pool! Go, then, Jane; go!" But he

still retained my hand, and I could not free it. I bethought myself

of an expedient.

"I think I hear Mrs. Fairfax move, sir," said I.

"Well, leave me:" he relaxed his fingers, and I was gone.

I regained my couch, but never thought of sleep. Till morning

dawned I was tossed on a buoyant but unquiet sea, where billows of

trouble rolled under surges of joy. I thought sometimes I saw

beyond its wild waters a shore, sweet as the hills of Beulah; and

now and then a freshening gale, wakened by hope, bore my spirit

triumphantly towards the bourne: but I could not reach it, even in

fancy--a counteracting breeze blew off land, and continually drove

me back. Sense would resist delirium: judgment would warn passion.

Too feverish to rest, I rose as soon as day dawned.




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