ssive slaves, sad women, unresisting men, patient
physicians, great patriots, persistent preachers, martyr poets--all
these forms and phases in turn do our associate angels enter into and
inform.

But ever the sign is there! They are not ours! Among us, but not of
us--set apart, here for a season be it, longer or shorter, ready at any
time to spread their wings! My sister was of these--I did not recognize
this truth in the time of my great sorrow, when the parting plumes had
not revealed themselves to my undiscerning eyes.

A mighty touchstone has been applied to these earthly orbs since then,
and the power to discriminate has been given to my soul. As Gregory and
Sabra were devils, I verily believe, so was Mabel one of Swedenborg's
angels. Who shall gainsay me? Who knows more than I on this subtle
subject? Not the wisest theologian that lives and breathes this earthly
air! Only those who never speak to enlighten us, and who have passed
into infinite light and knowledge through the portals of the grave.

When I knelt beside Wardour Wentworth in the old church of chimes a
fortnight after my emancipation from the thraldom of demons, I acquired
with this new allegiance of mine a more Christian and forbearing spirit
than had ever before possessed me; but the pearl of great price came not
yet. Into the deeps of sorrow was my soul first compelled to enter, a
diver in the great ocean, whence alone all such precious pearls are
borne.

Notice had been given to Claude Bainrothe to evacuate my father's
premises before my return from the brief wedding-trip which comprised
business as well as recreation. Captain Wentworth took me with him to
Richmond and to Washington, to both of which places his affairs led him.
In the last I had the pleasure of grasping Old Hickory by his honest
hand. He was my husband's patron and benefactor, and as such alone
entitled to my regard; but there was more. As patriot, soldier,
gentleman in the truest sense of the word, I have not seen his peer.

It was a great delight to me, in spite of the shadow Evelyn's grief
threw over our threshold, to stand once more as mistress in my father's
house, even in the wreck of fortune, and control the education and
destiny of my young sister. Little Ernie, too, had his place in the
household as son by adoption, and grew daily stronger and more vigorous
in our sight, the thoughtful, loving, and reticent child, heralding the
man of power, affection, and principle,