Helen was
the more surprised and pained by this neglect, as she knew he made
frequent visits to the sick bed of old Alice, and she wept secretly
and bitterly over this fresh proof of his alienated love.
During the tedious hours of illness, the mental sufferings of the
neglected wife far exceeded those of her corporal frame. She could
reflect but on one subject--one idea, one pervading horrible idea
had taken possession of her soul. She felt that through every person
to whom she might impart her tale would listen with incredibility,
and mockery, that the truth of that awful visitation could not be
questioned by her own better judgment. She considered herself one
"To whom the world unknown
In all its shadowy shapes is shown."
She shuddered over the remembrance of the past, she trembled from
apprehension of the future. The approach of night was beginning to
be terrible to her feelings; the very air appeared, to her
disordered imagination, instinct with being; low whisperings seemed
to approach her ears; and if the female attendant whom she had
stationed by her bedside disappeared for a moment, she instantly
fancied she saw the noble figure approach, that pale soft
countenance once more gazing upon her, and those cold lips about to
address her; and in an agony of approaching insanity, she prayed
aloud to the God of all Grace, for deliverance from the torture that
assailed her.
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