man's. As, perhaps her voice
had rattled, here in the dark. The thought of her, sitting here in
awful loneliness these long, long years, while life, all unknowing,
ebbed and flowed within reach of her, made me shudder.

"It is Jessamine Hynds, lost Jessamine Hynds," said her kinsman of
a later day, looking down upon the wreck of her with compassion.

"But how--how--why did she come here? To die thus--Oh, my God! my
God!"

"I saw the papers under her hand, and her name written upon the
first page," he said. "What further things she has written, I do not
know. I waited, Sophy, until we should read it together." He smiled
at me wanly. "I could bear it better, with you beside me. You see
how much I need you!" And he took the papers from her and spread
them upon the table. What she had written I shall insert here, as
its properest place.

I, Jessamine Hynds, Gentlewoman, being of sound Mind (though
they do say I am mad) but of infirm Body, the which I am
shortly to be rid of, do state and declare before God that
it was I who did take the Hynds Jewells, being help'd
thereto by black Shooba the witch doctor, who was my
father's man before my Uncle James Bought him at the Publick
Outcry of our Effects.

As to the Why & Wherefore I have act'd thus, thou knowest,
thou cruel God, who made me a beggar'd Orphan, a poor
dependant in this House of Pride!

Yet, God, thou knoweth I lov'd them well enow until Richard
came home the last Time from Abroad, a Young Man in the
Beauty of his Youth, who saw not Jessamine the poor Cozzen,
but Jessamine the fair woman. He would have me sing him
Ballads, he would hang Entranc'd upon the Spinet when I
play'd. Now would he fetch me a flower for my hair, placing
of it himself. And now 't was a knot of ribband for my
dress, and himself fetch'd home broach and ear-rings for my
Birthday Gift, saying in my ear no fairer woman's face had
gladded his eyes since he left home. And by the clipt Hedge
on a May night he kiss'd me. Alas, oh blind high God, alas,
alas!

'T was Wondrous to see how even the Servants did catch the
Humour, they waiting upon me Marvelous ready. Until came my
dear Aunt, smiling sickly, and laying of her Hand upon my
Sholder said she must speak for mine own Good. Richard was
but a young Man, wild & headlong, and I a fair Woman thrown
in