I was still listening in thought to her well-remembered tones — still picturing her pale and spiritual aspect, her wasted face and sublime gaze, as she lay on her placid deathbed, and whispered her longing to be restored to her divine Father’s bosom — when a feeble voice murmured from the couch behind: “Who is that?”

I knew Mrs. Reed had not spoken for days: was she reviving? I went up to her.

“It is I, Aunt Reed.”

“Who — I?” was her answer. “Who are you?” looking at me with surprise and a sort of alarm, but still not wildly.

“You are quite a stranger to me — where is Bessie?”

“She is at the lodge, aunt.”