ut foundation. In this state of things, was
it my bounden duty to tell the medical men what I had seen, when I went
back to the house to look for Mr. Keller's opera-glass? The more I
thought of it, the more I recoiled from the idea of throwing a frightful
suspicion on Minna's mother which would overshadow an innocent woman for
the rest of her life. What proof had I that she had lied to me about the
sketch and the mantlepiece? And, without proof, how could I, how dare I,
open my lips? I succeeded in deciding firmly enough for the alternative
of silence, during the intervals when my attendance on the sick man was
not required. But, when he wanted his medicine, when his pillows needed a
little arrangement, when I saw his poor eyes open, and look at me
vacantly--then my resolution failed me; my indecision returned; the
horrid necessity of speaking showed itself again, and shook me to the
soul. Never in the trials of later life have I passed such a night as
that night at Mr. Keller's bedside.

When the light of the new day shone in at the window, it was but too
plainly visible that the symptoms had altered for the worse.

The apathy was more profound, the wan pinched look of the face had
increased, the intervals between the attacks of nervous trembling had
grown shorter and shorter. Come what might of it, when Dr. Dormann paid
his promised visit, I felt I was now bound to inform him that another
person besides the servants and ourselves had obtained access secretly to
Mr. Keller's room.

I was so completely worn out by agitation and want of sleep--and I showed
it, I suppose, so plainly--that good Mr. Engelman insisted on my leaving
him in charge, and retiring to rest. I lay down on my bed, with the door
of my room ajar, resolved to listen for the doctor's footsteps on the
stairs, and to speak to him privately after he had seen the patient.

If I had been twenty years older, I might have succeeded in carrying out
my intention. But, with the young, sleep is a paramount necessity, and
nature insists on obedience to its merciful law. I remember feeling
drowsy; starting up from the bed, and walking about my room, to keep
myself awake; then lying down again from sheer fatigue; and after
that--total oblivion! When I woke, and looked at my watch, I found that I
had been fast asleep for no less than six hours!

Bewildered and ashamed of myself--afraid to think of what might have
happened in that long interval--I hurried to Mr. Ke