stant, and his attentions so marked, that Dinah
once more began to entertain hopes that her ambitious schemes for her
daughter might yet be realized. These hopes were only frustrated by the
sudden death of the object for whom they were cherished. My mother, for
some weeks, had complained of an acute pain in her left side, just
under her breast, and the medicines she procured from the doctor
afforded her no relief. She grew nervous and apprehensive of the
consequences, but as her personal appearance was not at all injured by
her complaint, Dinah ridiculed her fears.

"'You may laugh as you please, mother,' said she, the very day before
she died, 'but I feel this pain will be the death of me--and I so unfit
to die,' she added, with a deep sigh.

"'Nonsense!' returned Dinah, 'you will wear your wedding clothes a
second time, before we put on your shroud.'

"My mother only answered with another deep-drawn sigh. She passed a
sleepless night--the doctor was sent for in the morning, gave her a
composing draught, and told her to make her mind easy, for she had
nothing to fear.

"I always slept in the same bed with my mother. That night I had a bad
cold and could not sleep; but knowing that she was not well, I lay
quite still, fearing to disturb her. She slept well during the early
part of the night. The clock had just struck twelve when she rose up in
the bed, and called Dinah to come to her quickly. Her voice sounded
hollow and tremulous.

"'What ails you, Rachel?' grumbled the hard woman; 'disturbing a body
at this hour of the night.'

"'Be it night or morning,' said my mother, 'I am dying, and this hour
will be my last.'

"'Then in the name of God! send for the doctor.'

"'It is too late now. He can do me no good: I am going fast; but there
is something on my mind, mother, which I must tell you before I go. Sit
down beside me on the bed, whilst I have strength left to do it, and
swear to me mother, that you will not abuse the confidence I am about
to repose in you.'

"Dinah nodded assent.

"'That will not do. I must have your solemn word--your oath!'

"'What good will that do, Rachel? no oath can bind me--I believe in no
God, and fear no devil!'

"This confession was accompanied by a hideous, cackling laugh. Rachel
groaned aloud.

"'Oh, mother! there is a God--an avenging God! Could you feel what I
now feel, and see what I now see, like the devils, you would believe
and tremble. You will know it one day, an