It was on a November evening, that the two
women appointed for this melancholy purpose,
arrived at the miserable cottage which we have
already described. Its wretched inmate lay stretched
upon the bed, and seemed almost already a lifeless
corpse, save for the wandering of the fierce
dark eyes, which rolled in their sockets in a manner
terrible to look upon, and seemed to watch
with surprise and indignation the motions of the
strangers, as persons whose presence was alike
unexpected and unwelcome. They were frightened
at her looks; but, assured in each other's company,
they kindled a fire, lighted a candle, prepared
food, and made other arrangements for the discharge
of the duty assigned them.
The assistants agreed they should watch the
bedside of the sick person by turns; but, about
midnight, overcome by fatigue, (for they had walked
far that morning,) both of them fell fast asleep.
When they awoke, which was not till after the
interval of some hours, the hut was empty, and the
patient gone. They rose in terror, and went to
the door of the cottage, which was latched as it
had been at night. They looked out into the darkness,
and called upon their charge by her name.
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