284

DEA.TH S DOINGS.

with fragrance; and the trees seem to rest, afterthe refreshing shower, in motionless and satisfiedrepose. All is as I could wish it to be, for mydear wife's sake, to whose spirits the airing willcertainly be beneficial. This open, smiling,gentle scene, upon which I cannot look and de-spair, must assuredly infuse something of itshealthiness into her mind."

Here he paused in his soliloquy; but whetherto brood on the comfort of the thought, or to ex-amine its validity, was not at first apparent. Itwas soon, however, evident, that the feeling wasone of misgiving, for his meditations again findingwords, he said:

" Yet why do I flatter myself thus ? The in-fluence of spring could not save her from theattack of the mind-sickness which weighs herdown, neither will the laughing summer drive itaway. My unhappiness, I fear, is irremediable!What avail my many worldly advantages,—fortune,youth, health, the possession of her whom I solong have loved ? Darkness is thrown over all