hat purpose would it serve to create illusions? Away with all
illusions! I stand upon a higher point than those around me--than they
who consider themselves entitled to censure my faults, to exalt
themselves in secret above me, perhaps because they have taken me out of
compassion. Taken me out of compassion! Subjecting, humiliating thought!

"Yet, at the same time, they are good; yes, angelically good to me. I
wish they were less so!"

"To-night, now for the second time in my life, I have had the same
extraordinary dream. It appeared to me that I was in my chamber, and saw
in heaven vast masses of black cloud above my head driving towards the
horizon, accompanied with a strong rushing sound in the air.

"'Save thyself, Sara!' cried the voices of my sisters; 'come, come with
us!' But I felt in my limbs that peculiar sluggishness which one
perceives in dreams when one wishes to hasten. My chamber-window flew
open before the tempest, and impelled by a strong curiosity I looked
out. The sun stood opposite to me, pale, watery, without beams; but the
whole firmament around me seemed to burn; a glow of fire passed over all
things. Before me stood a tall aspen, whose leaves trembled and
crackled, whilst sparks of fire darted forth from them. Upon one twig of
the tree sate a huge black bird, looking on me with a fiery glance, and
singing hoarsely and tunelessly, while the tempest and flame rioted
around him. I heard the voices of my adopted mother and sisters
anxiously calling on me from a distance ever further and further
removed.

"I leaned myself out of the window to hear what the black bird with the
wonderful voice sang. I no longer had any fear. I awoke; but the dream
has a charm for me."

"The black bird sings to me, out of my dream. My adopted mother has wept
to-day on my account. I am sorry for it, but----it is best that I go.
They do not love me here--they cannot do it. They do not need me, nor I
them any longer. It is best that we separate."

Thus Sara.

We will now cast a glance on the parents themselves, who were not
greatly altered, excepting that Elise's whole appearance exhibited much
more health and strength than formerly. The energetic countenance of the
Judge had more wrinkles, but it had, besides, an expression of much
greater gentleness. A slight, but perhaps not wholly unpardonable,
weakness might be observed in him. He was completely captivated with his
daughters. God bless the good father!

FOOTN