. I cannot say that I felt
much definite interest in the novel circumstances surrounding me,
except as possible resources for some escape from the situation, as it
stood between herself and me. If I could compass any means of
communicating with her, I believed that I could accept my doom, let it
take me where it might or make of me what it would.

Walking thus drearily, alone, and not sorry to be alone in that
unfamiliar company, lost in the fixed idea of my own misery, I suddenly
heard light footsteps hurrying behind me. I thought:--

"There is another spirit; one more of the newly dead, come to this
strange place."

But I did not find it worth my while to turn and greet him, being so
wrapt in my own fate; and when a soft hand touched my arm, I moved from
it with something like dismay.

"Why, Doctor!" said the gentle voice of Mrs. Faith, "did I startle you?
I have been hunting for you everywhere," she added, laughing lightly.
"I was afraid you would feel rather desolate. It is a pity. Now, I am
as _happy_!"

"Did Charley live?" I asked immediately.

"Oh yes, Charley lived; what we used to call living, when we were
there. Poor Charley! I keep thinking how he would enjoy everything if
he were here with me. But his father needed him. It makes me so
happy! I am very happy! Tell me, Doctor, what do you think of this
place? How does it strike you?"

"It is a foreign country," I said sadly.

"Is it, Doctor? Poor Doctor! Why, I feel so much at _home_!"

She lifted a radiant face to me; it was touching to see her expression,
and marvellous to behold the idealization of health on features for so
many years adjusted to pain and patience.

"Dear Doctor!" she cried joyously, "you never thought to see me _well_!
They call this death. Why, I never knew what it was to be _alive_
before!"

"I must make you acquainted with some of the people who live here," she
added, quickly recalling herself from her own interests to mine, with
her natural unselfishness, "it is pitiful to come into this place--as
you have done. You always knew so many people. You had such friends
about you. I never saw you walk alone in all your life before."

"I wish to be alone," I answered moodily. "I care nothing for this
place, or for the men who live here. It is all unfamiliar to me. I am
not happy in it. I am afraid I have not been educated for it. It is
the most unhomelike place I ever saw."

Her eyes filled; she did not