Anotherday，andsomethingnewthatmustandwillberemembered，shrinkfromitasImay。Thisafternoon，ImetHelenaonthestairs。
　　Shestopped，andeyedmewithawickedsmile；sheheldoutherhand。"Wearelikelytomeetoften，whileweareinthesamehouse，"shesaid；"hadn’twebetterconsultappearances，andpretendtobeasfondofeachotherasever？"
　　Itooknonoticeofherhand；Itooknonoticeofhershamelessproposal。Shetriedagain："Afterall，itisn’tmyfaultifPhiliplikesmebetterthanhelikesyou。Don’tyouseethat？"I
　　stillrefusedtospeaktoher。Shestillpersisted。"Howblackyoulook，Eunice！Areyousorryyoudidn’tkillme，whenyouhadyourhandsonmythroat？"
　　Isaid："Yes。"
　　Shelaughed，andleftme。Iwasobligedtositdownonthestair——Itrembledso。Myownreplyfrightenedme。ItriedtofindoutwhyIhadsaidYes。Idon’trememberbeingconsciousofmeaninganything。ItwasasifsomebodyelsehadsaidYes——notI。
　　PerhapsIwasprovoked，andthewordescapedmebeforeIcouldstopit。CouldIhavestoppedit？Idon’tknow。
　　Anothersleeplessnight。
　　DidIpassthemiserablehoursinwritingletterstoPhilipandthentearingthemup？OrdidIonlyfancythatIwrotetohim？I
　　havejustlookedatthefireplace。ThetornpaperinittellsmethatIdidwrite。WhydidIdestroymyletters？ImighthavesentoneofthemtoPhilip。Afterwhathashappened？Oh，no！no！
　　HavingbeenmanydaysawayfromtheGirls’ScriptureClass，itseemedtobepossiblethatgoingbacktotheschoolandtheteachingmighthelpmetoescapefrommyself。
　　Nothingsucceedswithme。Ifounditimpossibletoinstructthegirlsasusual；theirstupiditysoonreachedthelimitofmypatience——suffocatedmewithrage。Oneofthem，apoor，fat，feeblecreature，begantocrywhenIscoldedher。Ilookedwithenvyatthetearsrollingoverherbigroundcheeks。IfIcouldonlycry，Imightperhapsbearmyhardfatewithsubmission。
　　Iwalkedtowardhomebyaroundaboutway；feelingasifwantofsleepwaskillingmebyinches。
　　IntheHighStreet，IsawHelena；shewaspostingaletter，andwasnotawarethatIwasnearher。Leavingthepost—office，shecrossedthestreet，andnarrowlyescapedbeingrunover。Supposethethreatenedaccidenthadreallytakenplace——howshouldIhavefelt，ifithadendedfatally？WhatafoolIamtobeputtingquestionstomyselfaboutthingsthathavenothappened！
　　Thewalkingtiredme；Iwentstraighthome。
　　BeforeIcouldringthebell，thehousedooropened，andthedoctorcameout。Hestoppedtospeaktome。WhileIhadbeenaway（hesaid），somethinghadhappenedathome（heneitherknewnorwishedtoknowwhat）whichhadthrownmyfatherintoastateofviolentagitation。Thedoctorhadadministeredcomposingmedicine。"Mypatientisasleepnow，"hetoldme；"butrememberwhatIsaidtoyouthelasttimewemet；alongerrestthananydoctor’sprescriptioncangivehimiswhathewants。Youarenotlookingwellyourself，mydear。Whatisthematter？"
　　Itoldhimofmywretchedrestlessnights；andaskedifImighttakesomeofthecomposingmedicinewhichhehadgiventomyfather。Heforbademetotouchadropofit。"Whatisphysicforyourfather，youfoolishchild，isnotphysicforayoungcreaturelikeyou，"hesaid。"Countathousand，ifyoucan’tsleepto—night，orturnyourpillow。Iwishyoupleasantdreams。"
　　Hewentaway，amusedathisownhumor。
　　IfoundSelinawaitingtospeakwithme，onthesubjectofpoorpapa。
　　Shehadbeenstartledonhearinghisvoice，loudinanger。Inthefearthatsomethingserioushadhappened，sheleftherroomtomakeinquiries，andsawHelenaonthelandingoftheflightofstairsbeneath，leavingthestudy。Afterwaitingtillmysisterwasoutoftheway，Selinaventuredtopresentherselfatthestudydoor，andtoaskifshecouldbeofanyuse。Myfather，walkingexcitedlyupanddowntheroom，declaredthatbothhisdaughtershadbehavedinfamously，andthathewouldnotsufferthemtospeaktohimagainuntiltheyhadcometotheirsenses，onthesubjectofMr。Dunboyne。Hewouldenterintonofurtherexplanation；andhehadordered，ratherthanrequested，Selinatoleavehim。Havingobeyed，shetriednexttofindme，andhadjustlookedintothedining—roomtoseeifIwasthere，whenshewasfrightenedbythesoundofafallintheroomabove——thatistosay，inthestudy。Runningupstairsagain，shehadfoundhiminsensibleonthefloorandhadsentforthedoctor。
　　"Andmindthis，"Selinacontinued，"thepersonwhohasdonethemischiefisthepersonwhomIsawleavingthestudy。Whatyourunnaturalsistersaidtoprovokeherfather——"
　　"Thatyourunnaturalsisterwilltellyouherself，"Helena’svoiceadded。Shehadopenedthedoorwhileweweretoomuchabsorbedinourtalktohearher。
　　Selinaattemptedtoleavetheroom。Icaughtherbythehand，andheldherback。IwasafraidofwhatImightdoifsheleftmebymyself。NeverhaveIfeltanythingliketheragethattorturedme，whenIsawHelenalookingatuswiththesamewickedsmileonherlipsthathadinsultedmewhenwemetonthestairs。Have_we_anythingtobeashamedof？"IsaidtoSelina。"Staywhereyouare。"
　　"Youmaybeofsomeuse，MissJillgall，ifyoustay，"mysistersuggested。"Euniceseemstobetrembling。Issheangry，orissheill？"
　　Thestingofthiswasinthetoneofhervoice。ItwasthehardestthingIeverhadtodoinmylife——butIdidsucceedincontrollingmyself。
　　"Goonwithwhatyouhavetosay，"Ianswered，"anddon’tnoticeme。"
　　"Youarenotverypolite，mydear，butIcanmakeallowances。Oh，come！come！puttingupyourhandstostopyourearsistoochildish。Youwoulddobettertoexpressregretforhavingmisledyourfather。Yes！youdidmisleadhim。Onlyafewdayssince，youlefthimtosupposethatyouwereengagedtoPhilip。Itbecamemyduty，afterthat，toopenhiseyestothetruth；andifI
　　unhappilyprovokedhim，itwasyourfault。IwasstrictlycarefulinthelanguageIused。Isaid：’Dearfather，youhavebeenmisinformedonaveryserioussubject。Theonlymarriageengagementforwhichyourkindsanctionisrequested，is_my_
　　engagement。_I_haveconsentedtobecomeMrs。PhilipDunboyne。’"
　　"Stop！"Isaid。
　　"WhyamItostop？"
　　"BecauseIhavesomethingtosay。YouandIarelookingateachother。Doesmyfacetellyouwhatispassinginmymind？"
　　"Yourfaceseemstobepalerthanusual，"sheanswered——"that’sall。"
　　"No，"Isaid；"thatisnotall。Thedevilthatpossessedme，whenIdiscoveredyouwithPhilip，isnotcastoutofmeyet。SilencethesneeringdevilthatisinYou，orwemaybothlivetoregretit。"
　　WhetherIdidordidnotfrightenher，Icannotsay。ThisonlyI
　　know——sheturnedawaysilentlytothedoor，andwentout。
　　Idroppedonthesofa。Thathorridhungeringforrevenge，whichI
　　feltforthefirsttimewhenIknewhowHelenahadwrongedme，begantodegradeandtemptmeagain。Intheefforttogetawayfromthisnewevilselfofmine，ItriedtofindsympathyinSelina，andcalledtohertocomeandsitbyme。SheseemedtobestartledwhenIlookedather，butsherecoveredherself，andcametome，andtookmyhand。
　　"IwishIcouldcomfortyou！"shesaid，inherkindsimpleway。
　　"Keepmyhandinyourhand，"Itoldher；"Iamdrowningindarkwater——andIhavenothingtoholdbybutyou。"
　　"Oh，mydarling，don’ttalkinthatway！"
　　"GoodSelina！dearSelina！YoushalltalktoMe。Saysomethingharmless——tellmeamelancholystory——trytomakemecry。"
　　Mypoorlittlefriendlookedsadlybewildered。
　　"I’mmorelikelytocrymyself，"shesaid。"Thisissoheart—breaking——IalmostwishIwasbackinthetime，beforeyoucamehome，thetimewhenyourdetestablesisterfirstshowedhowshehatedme。Iwashappy，meanlyhappy，inthespitefulenjoymentofprovokingher。Oh，Euneece，Ishallneverrecovermyspiritsagain！Allthepityintheworldwouldnotbepityenoughfor_you。_Sohardlytreated！soyoung！soforlorn！Yourgoodfathertooilltohelpyou；yourpoormother——"
　　Iinterruptedher；shehadinterestedmeinsomethingbetterthanmyownwretchedself。Iaskeddirectlyifshehadknownmymother。
　　"Mydearchild，Ineverevensawher！"
　　"Hasmyfatherneverspokentoyouabouther？"
　　"Onlyonce，whenIaskedhimhowlongshehadbeendead。Hetoldmeyoulostherwhileyouwereaninfant，andhetoldmenomore。
　　Iwaslookingatherportraitinthestudy，onlyyesterday。I
　　thinkitmustbeabadportrait；yourmother’sfacedisappointsme。"
　　Ihadarrivedatthesameconclusionyearssince。ButIshrankfromconfessingit。
　　"Atanyrate，"Selinacontinued，"youarenotlikeher。Nobodywouldeverguessthatyouwerethechildofthatlady，withthelongslantingforeheadandtherestlesslookinhereyes。"
　　WhatSelinahadsaidofmeandmymother’sportrait，otherfriendshadsaid。TherewasnothingthatIknowoftointerestmeinhearingitrepeated——andyetitsetmeponderingonthewantofresemblancebetweenmymother’sfaceandmine，andwondering（notforthefirsttime）whatsortofwomanmymotherwas。Whenmyfatherspeaksofher，nowordsofpraisethathecanutterseemtobegoodenoughforher。Oh，me，IwishIwasalittlemorelikemymother！
　　Itbegantogetdark；Mariabroughtinthelamp。Thesuddenbrightnessoftheflamestruckmyachingeyes，asifithadbeenablowfromaknife。Iwasobligedtohidemyfaceinmyhandkerchief。CompassionateSelinaentreatedmetogotobed。
　　"Restyourpooreyes，mychild，andyourwearyhead——andtryatleasttogetsomesleep。"Shefoundmeverydocile；Ikissedher，andsaidgood—night。Ihadmyownidea。
　　Whenallwasquietinthehouse，Istoleoutintothepassageandlistenedatthedoorofmyfather’sroom。
　　Iheardhisregularbreathing，andopenedthedoorandwentin。
　　Thecomposingmedicine，ofwhichIwasinsearch，wasnotonthetablebyhisbedside。Ifounditinthecupboard——perhapsplacedpurposelyoutofhisreach。Theysaythatsomephysicispoison，ifyoutaketoomuchofit。Thelabelonthebottletoldmewhatthedosewas。Idroppeditintothemedicineglass，andswallowedit，andwentbacktomyfather。
　　Verygently，soasnottowakehim，Itouchedpoorpapa’sforeheadwithmylips。"Imusthavesomeofyourmedicine，"I
　　whisperedtohim；"Iwantit，dear，asbadlyasyoudo。"
　　ThenIreturnedtomyownroom——andlaydowninbed，waitingtobecomposed。
　　CHAPTERXXXI。
　　EUNICE’SDIARY。
　　MyrestlessnightsarepassedinSelina’sroom。
　　Herbedremainsnearthewindow。Mybedhasbeenplacedopposite，nearthedoor。Ournight—lightishiddeninacorner，sothatthefaintglowofitisallthatwesee。Whattriflesthesearetowriteabout！ButtheymixthemselvesupwithwhatIamdeterminedtosetdowninmyJournal，andthentoclosethebookforgoodandall。
　　Ihadnotdisturbedmylittlefriend’senviablerepose，eitherwhenIleftourbed—chamber，orwhenIreturnedtoit。Thenightwasquiet，andthestarswereout。Nothingmovedbutthethrobbingatmytemples。Thelightsandshadowsinourhalf—darkenedroom，whichatothertimessuggeststrangeresemblancestomyfancy，failedtodisturbmenow。Iwasinadarknessofmyownmaking，havingboundahandkerchief，cooledwithwater，overmyhoteyes。TherewasnothingtointerferewiththesoothinginfluenceofthedosethatIhadtaken，ifmyfather’smedicinewouldonlyhelpme。
　　Ibeganbadly。Theclockinthehallstruckthequarterpastthehour，thehalf—past，thethree—quarterspast，thenewhour。Timewasawake——andIwasawakewithTime。
　　ItwassuchatrialtomypatiencethatIthoughtofgoingbacktomyfather’sroom，andtakingaseconddoseofthemedicine，nomatterwhattheriskmightbe。Onattemptingtogetup，Ibecameawareofachangeinme。Therewasadullsensationinmylimbswhichseemedtobindthemdownonthebed。Itwasthestrangestfeeling。Mywillsaid，Getup——andmyheavylimbssaid，No。
　　Ilayquitestill，thinkingdesperatethoughts，andgettingnearerandnearertotheendthatIhadbeendreadingforsomanydayspast。Havingbeenaswelleducatedasmostgirls，mylessonsinhistoryhadmademeacquaintedwithassassinationandmurder。
　　HorrorswhichIhadrecoiledfromreadinginpasthappydays，nowreturnedtomymemory；and，thistime，theyinterestedinsteadofrevoltingme。IcountedthethreefirstwaysofkillingasI
　　happenedtorememberthem，inmybooksofinstruction：——awaybystabbing；awaybypoison；awayinabed，bysuffocationwithapillow。Onthatdreadfulnight，IneveroncecalledtomindwhatIfindmyselfrememberingnow——theharmlesspasttime，whenourfriendsusedtosay："Euniceisagoodgirl；weareallfondofEunice。"ShallIeverbethesamelovablecreatureagain？
　　WhileIlaythinking，astrangethinghappened。Philip，whohadhauntedmefordaysandnightstogether，vanishedoutofmythoughts。Mymemoryofthelovewhichhadbegunsobrightly，andhadendedsomiserably，becameablank。Nothingwasleftbutmyownhorridvisionsofvengeanceanddeath。
　　Forawhile，thestrokesoftheclockstillreachedmyears。Butitwasanefforttocountthem；Iendedinlettingthempassunheeded。Soonafterward，theroundofmythoughtsbegantocircleslowlyandmoreslowly。Thestrokesoftheclockdiedout。
　　Theroundofmythoughtsstopped。
　　Allthistime，myeyeswerestillcoveredbythehandkerchiefwhichIhadlaidoverthem。
　　Thedarknessbegantoweighonmyspirits，andtofillmewithdistrust。Ifoundmyselfsuspectingthattherewassomechange——perhapsanunearthlychange——passingovertheroom。ToremainblindfoldedanylongerwasmorethanIcouldendure。I
　　liftedmyhand——withoutbeingconsciousoftheheavysensationwhich，sometimebefore，hadlaidmylimbshelplessonthebed——I
　　liftedmyhand，anddrewthehandkerchiefawayfrommyeyes。
　　Thefaintglowofthenight—lightwasextinguished。
　　Buttheroomwasnotquitedark。Therewasaghastlylighttremblingoverit；likenothingthatIhaveeverseenbyday；
　　likenothingthatIhaveeverseenbynight。IdimlydiscernedSelina’sbed，andtheframeofthewindow，andthecurtainsoneithersideofit——butnotthestarlight，andnottheshadowytopsofthetreesinthegarden。
　　Thelightgrewfainterandfainter；theobjectsintheroomfadedslowlyaway。Darknesscame。
　　Itmaybeasayinghardtobelieve——but，whenIdeclarethatI
　　wasnotfrightened，Iamtellingthetruth。Whethertheroomwaslightedbyawfullight，orsunkinawfuldark，Iwasequallyinterestedintheexpectationofwhatmighthappennext。I
　　listenedcalmlyforwhatImighthear：IwaitedcalmlyforwhatI
　　mightfeel。
　　Atouchcamefirst。Ifeelitcreepingonmyface——likealittleflutteringbreeze。Thesensationpleasedmeforawhile。Soonitgrewcolder，andcolder，andcolder，tillitfrozeme。
　　"Oh，nomore！"Icriedout。"Youarekillingmewithanicydeath！"
　　Thedead—coldtoucheslingeredamomentlonger——andleftme。
　　Thefirstsoundcame。
　　Itwasthesoundofawhisperonmypillow，closetomyear。Mystrangeinsensibilitytofearremainedundisturbed。Thewhisperwaswelcome，itkeptmecompanyinthedarkroom。
　　Itsaidtome："DoyouknowwhoIam？"
　　Ianswered："No。"
　　Itsaid。："Whohaveyoubeenthinkingofthisevening？"
　　Ianswered："Mymother。"
　　Thewhispersaid："Iamyourmother。"
　　"Oh，mother，commandthelighttocomeback！Showyourselftome！"
　　"No。"
　　"Whynot？"
　　"MyfacewashiddenwhenIpassedfromlifetodeath。Myfacenomortalcreaturemaysee。"
　　"Oh，mother，touchme！Kissme！"
　　"No。"
　　"Whynot？"
　　"Mytouchispoison。Mykissisdeath。"
　　Thesenseoffearbegantocometomenow。Imovedmyheadawayonthepillow。Thewhisperfollowedmymovement。
　　"Leaveme，"Isaid。"YouareanEvilSpirit。"
　　Thewhisperanswered："Iamyourmother。"
　　"Youcometotemptme。"
　　"Icometohardenyourheart。Daughterofmine，whosebloodiscool；daughterofmine，whotamelysubmits——youhaveloved。Isittrue？"
　　"Itistrue。"
　　"Themanyoulovedhasdesertedyou。Isittrue？"
　　"Itistrue。"
　　"Awomanhasluredhimawaytoherself。Awomanhashadnomercyonyou，oronhim。Isittrue？"
　　"Itistrue。"
　　"Ifshelives，whatcrimetowardyouwillshecommitnext？"
　　"Ifshelives，shewillmarryhim。"
　　"Willyouletherlive？"
　　"Never。"
　　"HaveIhardenedyourheartagainsther？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Willyoukillher？"
　　"Showmehow。"
　　Therewasasuddensilence。Iwasstillleftinthedarkness；
　　feelingnothing，hearingnothing。EventheconsciousnessthatI
　　waslyingonmybeddesertedme。IhadnoideathatIwasinthebedroom；IhadnoknowledgeofwhereIwas。
　　TheghastlylightthatIhadseenalreadydawnedonmeoncemore。
　　Iwasnolongerinmybed，nolongerinmyroom，nolongerinthehouse。Withoutwonder，withoutevenafeelingofsurprise，I
　　lookedround。Theplacewasfamiliartome。IwasaloneintheMuseumofourtown。
　　Thelightflowedalonginfrontofme。Ifollowed，fromroomtoroomintheMuseum，wherethelightled。
　　First，throughthepicture—gallery，hungwiththeworksofmodernmasters；then，throughtheroomfilledwithspecimensofstuffedanimals。Thelionandthetiger，thevultureoftheAlpsandthegreatalbatross，lookedlikelivingcreaturesthreateningme，inthesupernaturallight。Ienteredthethirdroom，devotedtotheexhibitionofancientarmor，andtheweaponsofallnations。Herethelightrosehigher，and，leavingmeindarknesswhereIstood，showedacollectionofswords，daggers，andknivesarrangedonthewallinimitationoftheformofastar。
　　Thewhispersoundedagain，closeatmyear。Itechoedmyownthought，whenIcalledtomindthewaysofkillingwhichhistoryhadtaughtme。Itsaid："Killherwiththeknife。"
　　No。MyheartfailedmewhenIthoughtoftheblood。Ihidthedreadfulweaponsfrommyview。Icriedout："Letmego！letmego！"
　　Again，Iwaslostindarkness。Again，IhadnoknowledgeinmeofwhereIwas。Again，afteraninterval，thelightshowedmethenewplaceinwhichIstood。
　　Iwasaloneintheburial—groundofourparishchurch。Thelightledmeon，amongthegraves，tothelonelycornerinwhichthegreatyewtreestands；and，risinghigher，revealedthesolemnfoliage，brightenedbythefatalredfruitwhichhidesinitselftheseedsofdeath。
　　Thewhispertemptedmeagain。Itfollowedagainthetrainofmyownthought。Itsaid："Killherbypoison。"
　　No。Revengebypoisonstealsitswaytoitsend。ThebasedeceitfulnessofHelena’scrimeagainstmeseemedtocallforadayofreckoningthathiditselfundernodisguise。Iraisedmycrytobedeliveredfromthesightofthedeadlytree，ThechangeswhichIhavetriedtodescribefollowedoncemoretheconfessionofwhatIfelt；thedarknesswasdispelledforthethirdtime。
　　IwasstandinginHelena’sroom，lookingatherasshelayasleepinherbed。
　　Shewasquitestillnow；butshemusthavebeenrestlessatsomeearliertime。Thebedclothesweredisordered，herheadhadsunksolowthatthepillowrosehighandvacantaboveher。There，coloredbyatenderflushofsleep，wasthefacewhosebeautyputmypoorfacetoshame。There，wasthesisterwhohadcommittedtheworstofmurders——thewretchwhohadkilledinmeallthatmadelifeworthhaving。Whilethatthoughtwasinmymind，I
　　heardthewhisperagain。"Killheropenly，"thetemptermothersaid。"Killherdaringly。Faintheart，doyoustillwantcourage？
　　Rouseyourspirit；look！seeyourselfintheact！"
　　Thetemptationtookaformwhichnowtriedmeforthefirsttime。
　　Asifamirrorhadreflectedthescene，Isawmyselfstandingbythebedside，withthepillowthatwastosmotherthesleeperinmyhands。Iheardthewhisperingvoicetellingmehowtospeakthewordsthatwarnedandcondemnedher："Wake！youwhohavetakenhimfromme！Wake！andmeetyourdoom。"
　　Isawherstartupinbed。Thesuddenmovementdisorderedthenightdressoverherbosomandshowedtheminiatureportraitofaman，hungroundherneck。
　　ThemanwasPhilip。Thelikenesswaslookingatme。
　　Sodear，solovely——thoseeyesthathadoncebeenthelightofmyheart，mournedformeandjudgedmenow。Theysawtheguiltythoughtthatpollutedme；theybroughtmetomyknees，imploringhimtohelpmebacktomybetterself："Onelastmercy，dear，tocomfortmeunderthelossofyou。Letthelovethatwasoncemylife，bemygoodangelstill。Saveme，Philip，eventhoughyouforsakeme——savemefrommyself！"
　　Therewasasuddencry。
　　Theagonyofitpiercedmybrain——droveawaytheghastlylight——silencedthetemptingwhispers。Icametomyself。I
　　saw——andnotinadream。
　　Helena_had_startedupinherbed。Thatcryofterror，atthesightofmeinherroomatnight，_had_burstfromherlips。TheminiatureofPhiliphungroundherneck，avisiblereality。
　　Thoughmyheadwasdizzy，thoughmyheartwassinking，Ihadnotlostmysensesyet。Allthatthenightlampcouldshowme，I
　　stillsaw；andIheardthesound，faintly，whenthedoorofthebed—chamberwasopened。Alarmedbythatpiercingcry，myfathercamehurryingintotheroom。
　　Notawordpassedbetweenusthree。ThewhispersthatIhadheardwerewicked；thethoughtsthathadbeeninmymindwerevile。Hadtheyleftsomepoisonintheairoftheroom，whichkilledthewordsonourlips？
　　MyfatherlookedatHelena。Withatremblinghandshepointedtome。Heputhisarmroundmeandheldmeup。Irememberhisleadingmeaway——andIremembernothingmore。
　　Mylastwordsarewritten。Ilockupthisjournalofmisery——never，Ihopeandpray，toopenitagain。
　　—————
　　SecondPeriod（continued）。
　　EVENTSINTHEFAMILY，RELATEDBYTHEGOVERNOR。
　　—————
　　CHAPTERXXXII。
　　THEMIDDLE—AGEDLADY。
　　INtheyear1870Ifoundmyselfcompelledtosubmittothedemandsoftwohardtask—masters。
　　AdvancingageandfailinghealthremindedtheGovernorofthePrisonofhisdutytohissuccessor，inoneunanswerableword——Resign。
　　Whentheyhaveemployedusandinterestedus，forthegreaterpartofourlives，webidfarewelltoourduties——eventothegloomydutiesofaprison——withasenseofregret。Myviewofthefuturepresentedavacantprospectindeed，whenIlookedatmyidlelifetocome，andwonderedwhatIshoulddowithit。Looseontheworld——atmyage！——Idriftedintodomesticrefuge，underthecareofmytwodearandgoodsons。Afterawhile（nevermindhowlongawhile）Ibegantogrowrestlessundertheheavyburdenofidleness。Havingnothingelsetocomplainof，Icomplainedofmyhealth，andconsultedadoctor。Thatsagaciousmanhitontherightwayofgettingridofme——herecommendedtraveling。
　　Thiswasunexpectedadvice。Aftersomehesitation，Iaccepteditreluctantly。
　　Theinstinctsofagerecoilfrommakingnewacquaintances，contemplatingnewplaces，andadoptingnewhabits。Besides，I
　　haterailwaytraveling。However，IcontrivedtogetasfarasItaly，andstoppedtorestatFlorence。Here，IfoundpicturesbytheoldmastersthatIcouldreallyenjoy，apublicparkthatIcouldhonestlyadmire，andanexcellentfriendandcolleagueofformerdays；oncechaplaintotheprison，nowclergymaninchargeoftheEnglishChurch。WemetinthegalleryofthePittiPalace；andherecognizedmeimmediately。Iwaspleasedtofindthatthelapseofyearshadmadesolittledifferenceinmypersonalappearance。
　　ThetravelerwhoadvancesasfarasFlorence，anddoesnotgoontoRome，mustberegardlessindeedoftheopinionsofhisfriends。Letmenotattempttoconcealit——Iamthatinsensibletraveler。Overandoveragain，Isaidtomyself："Romemustbedone"；andoverandoveragainIputoffdoingit。Toownthetruth，thefascinationsofFlorence，aidedbythesocietyofmyfriend，laidsostrongaholdonmethatIbelieveIshouldhaveendedmydaysinthedelightfulItaliancity，butforthedangerousillnessofoneofmysons。ThismisfortunehurriedmebacktoEngland，indread，everystepoftheway，offindingthatIhadarrivedtoolate。Thejourney（thankGod！）provedtohavebeentakenwithoutneed。Mysonwasnolongerindanger，whenI
　　reachedLondonintheyear1875。
　　AtthatdateIwasnearenoughtothecustomarylimitofhumanlifetofeelthenecessityofrestandquiet。Inotherwords，mydaysoftravelhadcometotheirend。