influence of them towards the evening. I'm afraid that you take more
than is good for your health."

"Not more than I require for what I have to undergo to keep up the faith
of my disciples; but there are many who waver, some who doubt, and I
find that my movements are watched. I cannot trust the woman in this
house. I think she is a spy set upon me, but I cannot remove her, as
this house, and all which it contains, are not mine, but belong to the
disciples in general. There is another woman, not far off, who is my
rival; she calls me an impostor, and says that she is the true
prophetess, and that I am not one. This will be rather difficult for her
to prove," continued she, with a mocking smile. "Beset as I am, I
require your assistance, for you must be aware that it is rather
discreditable to a prophetess, who has risen from the dead, to be seen
all day at the gin-shop, yet without stimulants now, I could not exist."

"And how can I assist you?"

"By sending me, as medicine, that which I dare no longer procure in any
other way, and keeping the secret which I have imparted."

"I will do both with pleasure; but yet," said I, "is it not a pity, a
thousand pities, that one so young--and if you will allow me to add, so
lovely, should give herself up to ardent spirits? Why," continued I,
taking her small white hand, "why should you carry on the deception;
why sacrifice your health, and I may say your happiness--" What more I
might have said I know not, probably it might have been an offer of
marriage, but she cut me short.

"Why does everybody sacrifice their health, their happiness, their all,