sandinsultingsortoftribute,whieisjustifiedinhurlingbatheteethofthosewhoofferit;butthatisthesortofpitynativetocallous,selfishhearts;itisahybrid,egotisticalpainathearingofwoes,crossedwithignorantptforthosewhohaveehem.Butthatisnotyourpity,Jaisnotthefeelingofwhichyourwholefaceisfullatthismoment—withwhichyoureyesarenowalmostoverflowing—withwhichyourheartisheaving—withwhichyourhandistremblinginmine.Yourpity,mydarling,isthesufferingmotheroflove:itsanguishistheverynatalpangofthedivinepassion.Iacceptit,Jahedaughterhavefreeadvent—myarmswaittoreceiveher.”

    “Now,sir,proceed;whatdidyoudowhenyoufoundshewasmad?”

    “Jane,Iapproachedthevergeofdespair;aremnantofself-respectwasallthatinterveweehegulf.Intheeyesoftheworld,Iwasdoubtlesscoveredwithgrimydishonour;butIresolvedtobeinmyownsight—andtothelastIrepudiatedtheinationofhercrimes,andwrenchedmyselffromewithhermentaldefects.Still,societyassociatedmynameandpersonwithhers;Iyetsawherandheardherdaily:somethingofherbreath(faugh!)mixedwiththeairIbreathed;andbesides,IrememberedIhadoncebeenherhusband—thatrecollewasthen,andisnow,inexpressiblyodioustome;moreover,IkhatwhileshelivedIcouldhehusbandofanotheraerwife;and,thoughfiveyearsmysenior(herfamilyaherhadliedtomeeveniiculare),shewaslikelytoliveaslongasI,beingasrobustinframeasshewasinfirminmind.Thus,attheageoftwenty-six,Ieless.

    “OnenightIhadbeenawakenedbyheryells—(sihemedicalmenhadpronouncedhermad,shehad,ofcourse,beenshutup)—itwasafieryWestIndiannight;ohedescriptionthatfrequentlyprecedeth