my hands, those flaming
Bawbles, as children chap chaff. And they did sparkle & glow
like the Devill his Rainbow! All day was I Happy, Hugging of
my Secret to my Heart.

Emily had the brown dress brought Secretly into the House, &
Made for me in mine Own Room. Once was she wishful I might
wear one of the Hynds Rubies, just for one Night, but I chid
her, saying that already the Frock was more than Enough.
Indeed 't is a beautiful Dress. Will serve me well for a
Shroud.

Ever came the Ball nearer & nearer, and all we a-flutter, I
with my hands overfull, my hours overcrowd'd, with Helping
of them. I could not have slept in peace did I not know what
was a-coming.

And then open'd they the Safe in my Aunt's morning-room.
Shall be such a Howling from the Damn'd on the Day of
Judgment as went up from Hynds House that day! Makes me to
think of the text, And there shall be weeping and wailing
and gnashing of teeth.

Lord, how did they run Hither & Thither, what Wailing &
Reproaching & Accusing & Screeching! How did my dear Aunt's
eyes grow Redder than ever Mine had been! How did my Proud
Uncle find his Lofty Crest Lower'd, and was in that Honour
of his Scourg'd more Cruelly than ever old Shooba's Back had
been! How, too, was _her_ Happiness burst like a Bubble,
that had been so rainbow Bright! In that house all wept save
me alone. Nor did one of them so much as dream in 's sleep
of suspecting Jessamine Hynds!

And then--oh, God! oh, God--Richard, my Richard, that I
Lov'd more than mine own Soul, died! As a Candle is snuff'd
out, so went Richard that was so comely and so strong. I had
only thought to Punish him, Make them all Suffer to Pay me
for mine own Suffering. Never, never, had I meant that
Richard should Die. 'Twas a Thunder-bolt upon my Head, 'twas
Lightning splitting my Heart.

'Twas I brought the News of Richard's death to my Uncle
James. Was sitting in the Library pretending for to read.
Then came I in, and clos'd the Door, and said:

"_Richard is dead._" How the man star'd! Had a ruddy face,
very Handsome. Before my eyes it pal'd and pinch'd. I said
again: "Don't you understand? _Richard is dead._"

As a tree falls, he fell. I knew his Time was come, and
gently I rais'd him. He claw'd at his Breast