now evident that she could not recover. The physician said that he
could not understand her disease, nor the state of the sufferer, for
the vital powers were so strong in her that all the symptoms usually
indicating death did not show themselves, and there was a probability
of her speedy recovery; in a few days, however, he gave up all hope.

"We now really looked forward to a quieter future. Although we felt
pity for the unhappy being, yet we could not deny that she had a
disturbing effect on our life and the happiness of our love. We heard
that she was near death, but as she had arranged with her doctor and
nurse that we should not disturb her we had kept away. All of a sudden
she much desired to see me, but requested that Elizabeth should not be
present. I went and said as I entered: 'Dear friend, you will
doubtless be kind enough to give me back the documents which you took
from my escritoire to vex me.' She looked at me significantly with her
dying eyes, which now seemed larger and sparkled brighter than
formerly. There was something so singular, bright and glaring in her
look, that any one having witnessed it would never wish to see any
thing more terrible and inconceivable. After a pause she said:
'Brother, do these foolish trifles still occupy your head? Yet it is
no wonder, every one lives as he can. Sit down, my friend,' she
continued, with an air of contempt; I complied and sat down by her bed.

"'You fancy,' she now began in a repulsive, cutting tone, 'you will get
rid of me; but do not deceive yourself by flattering yourself too soon
with such an idea. Death, life, non-existence, continuation! what
useless, unmeaning words! When I had scarcely passed my childhood, I
could not help laughing at men, if I saw them fretting about continued
existence after death. They drag in and heap up like towers, proof
after proof, probabilities and wishes, entreaties, prayers, and the
mercy of the Almighty; they talk of many fine talents which cannot on
this side of the grave, as they call it, be possibly perfected, much
less brought to maturity,--and all these preparations are but to hush
their base cowardice and fear of death. Poor wretches! If I collect
myself, become conscious of my various energies in every direction, and
then call to eternity, to the Creator and the millions of spirits of
the past and the future, I will be immortal! I _will!_--what more is
necessary, and what omnipotence can interfere