was sitting by the bed working with her needle; an open Bible was
on a little table before her. I perceived also a cup, and parched with
thirst, I merely said, "Give me to drink." She arose, and put a
teaspoon to my lips; but I raised my hand, took the cup from her and
emptied it. O how delightful was that draught! I sank down on my
pillow, for even that slight exertion had overpowered me, and muttering,
"God, I thank thee!" I was immediately in a sound sleep, from which I
did not awake for many hours. When I did, it was not daylight. A lamp
was on the table, and an old man in a Quaker's dress was snoring very
comfortably in the arm-chair. I felt quite refreshed with my long
sleep, and was now able to recall what had passed. I remembered the
condemned cell and the mattress upon which I lay, but all after was in a
state of confusion. Here and there a fact or supposition was strong in
my memory; but the intervals between were total blanks. I was, at all
events, free, that I felt convinced of, and that I was in the hands of
the sect who denominate themselves Quakers: but where was I? and how did
I come here? I remained thinking on the past, and wondering, until the
day broke, and with the daylight roused up my watchful attendant. He
yawned, stretched his arms, and rising from the chair, came to the side
of my bed. I looked him in the face. "Hast thou slept well, friend?"
said he.

"I have slept as much as I wish, and would not disturb you," replied I,
"for I wanted nothing."

"Peradventure I did sleep," replied the man; "watching long agreeth not
with the flesh, although the spirit is most willing. Requirest thou
anything?"

"Yes," replied I, "I wish to know where I am?"

"Verily, thou art in the town of Reading, in Berkshire, and in the house
of Pheneas Cophagus."

"Cophagus!" exclaimed I; "Mr Cophagus, the surgeon and apothecary?"

"Pheneas Cophagus is his name; he hath been admitted into our sect, and
hath married a daughter of our persuasion. He hath attended thee in thy
fever and thy frenzy, without calling in the aid of the physician,
therefore do I believe that he must be the man of whom thou speakest;
yet doth he not follow up the healing art for the lucre of gain."

"And the young person who was at my bedside, is she his wife?"

"Nay, friend, she is half-sister to the wife of Pheneas Cophagus by a
second marriage, and a maiden, who was named Susannah Temple at the
baptismal font; but I wi