ont. I could recall his rapid glance;
the quick and hurried motion of his hand; his short and thick utterance,
as words of command fell from his lips; and his smile, as he heard some
intelligence with pleasure.

I could not sleep,--scarcely could I eat. A feverish excitement burned
through my frame, and my parched tongue and hot hand told how the very
springs of health were dried up within me. I walked with hurried steps
from place to place; now muttering the words of some despatch, now
fancying that I was sent with orders for a movement of troops. As I
rode, I spurred my horse to a gallop, and in my heated imagination
believed I was in presence of the enemy, and preparing for the fray.
Great as my exhaustion frequently was, weariness brought no rest. Often
I returned home at evening, overcome by fatigue; but a sleepless night,
tortured with anxieties and harassed with doubts and fears, followed,
and I awoke to pursue the same path, till in my weakened frame and
hectic cheek the signs of illness could no longer be mistaken.

Terrified at the ravages a few weeks had made in my health, and fearful
what secret malady was preying upon me, Darby, without asking any leave
from me, left the house one morning at daybreak, and returned with the
physician of the neighboring town. I was about to mount my horse, when I
saw them coming up the avenue, and immediately guessed the object of the
visit. A moment was enough to decide me as to the course to pursue;
for well knowing how disposed the world ever is to stamp the impress
of wandering intellect on any habit of mere eccentricity, I resolved to
receive the doctor as though I was glad of his coming, and consult with
him regarding my state. This would at least refute such a scandal, by
enlisting the physician among the allies of my cause.

By good fortune, Dr. Clibborn was a man of shrewd common sense, as well
as a physician of no mean skill.

In the brief conversation we held together, I perceived, that while he
paid all requisite attention to any detail which implied the existence
of malady, his questions were more pointedly directed to the possibility
of some mental cause of irritation,--the source of my ailment. I could
see, however, that his opinion inclined to the belief that the events of
the trial had left their indelible traces on my mind; which, inducing
me to adopt a life of isolation and retirement, had now produced the
effects he witnessed.

I was not sorry at this