oose like lightning on a winter's night
And shows a moment's day."--_DRYDEN_

On the succeeding morning, when Lady Greville recovered sufficiently
from a succession of fainting fits to collect her remembrances of the
dreadful cause of her illness, she eagerly demanded of her attendants
in what manner, and by whom, she had been placed in her usual
sleeping-room. They replied, that Lord Greville had conveyed her there
insensible in his arms; and had summoned them in great agitation to her
assistance. He had since frequently sent to inquire after her health,
and had expressed great delight when the last message, announcing her
recovery, had reached him. But he came not himself to watch over her;
and though the shock she had received, had brought on an alarming degree
of fever, which confined her for several days to her room, he never
visited her chamber. Helen was the more surprised and pained by this
neglect, as she knew he made frequent visits to the sick bed of old
Alice, and she wept secretly and bitterly over this fresh proof of his
alienated love.

During the tedious hours of illness, the mental sufferings of the
neglected wife far exceeded those of her corporal frame. She could
reflect but on one subject--one idea, one pervading horrible idea had
taken possession of her soul. She felt that through every person to whom
she might impart her tale would listen with incredibility, and mockery,
that the truth of that awful visitation could not be questioned by her
own better judgment. She considered herself one

"To whom the world unknown
In all its shadowy shapes is shown."

She shuddered over the remembrance of the past, she trembled from
apprehension of the future. The approach of night was beginning to
be terrible to her feelings; the very air appeared, to her disordered
imagination, instinct with being; low whisperings seemed to approach her
ears; and if the female attendant whom she had stationed by her bedside
disappeared for a moment, she instantly fancied she saw the noble figure
approach, that pale soft countenance once more gazing upon her, and
those cold lips about to address her; and in an agony of approaching
insanity, she prayed aloud to the God of all Grace, for deliverance
from the torture that assailed her. Her prayers were heard; for as
her constitution recovered from the shocks it had sustained, her mind
gradually returned to its wonted serenity; the impression of the event
became less