d parent; while I, through
Heaven's mercy, have never been subject to the temptation to create for
myself a retrospect so dreadful."

It would be well, indeed, if all in a position likely to read these
pages would remember, as did Ada Garden, when they are subjected to
misfortune or suffering, that there are thousands around them in a far,
far worse condition, deprived of all that can make life of value,
without hope in this world or the next, and men they would never dare to
arraign the dispensation of Providence, by which they receive the
infliction from which they suffer, and would feel that even thus they
are blessed above their fellows. Poor Ada saw that Marianna still
slept, and, fearful lest Nina should require assistance, she was herself
afraid of retiring to rest, though weariness made her head fall
frequently on her bosom. At length she was aroused by a gentle knock at
the door, and little Mila entered the room. She was evidently full of
something which she wished to communicate, and told a long story, not a
word of which Ada could understand. So eager had she been, that she did
not perceive the condition to which Nina was reduced, believing that she
was still asleep from simple fatigue, but her eye falling on her, she
burst into loud lamentations of grief, which very nearly awoke her from
the lethargy into which she had fallen. It was the means, however, of
awaking Marianna, by whose aid she was able to make the little girl
comprehend the importance of seeking out Paolo, and bringing him to
attend on his sister. She was absent nearly two hours, but at length
returned, accompanied by the Italian. Eager as Ada was to gain tidings
of Fleetwood, she forbore to ask him any questions till he had recovered
from the state of agitation into which he was thrown by seeing the
condition of his unhappy sister.

"You need not tell me who has done this deed," he muttered, in a hoarse
voice, as he bent over her. "I knew it would come to this--I knew, when
weary of her, he would cast her aside as a child its broken toy, or
would thus destroy her in his mad passion. Yet it would have been
kinder had he struck deeper, and thus ended her misery with a blow. I
have remained near her--I have watched over her, ill-treated and
despised as I have been,--that, when this should be her fate, though I
could not shield her from it, I might yet avenge her death. Yes, my
sweet Nina, indifferent as you may deem me, I love you dee