composed, than sleep again began to overpower my senses, when the
same, or a similar imagination roused me.

"The morning came. When I was called down to breakfast, the sight
of his empty seat distracted me. I returned to my room, though I
thought it my duty to take some nourishment. I had it brought to me.
Alas, I could nowhere turn my eyes but the sight was connected with
this dear idea, and recalled past delights, never more to return. Our
back windows looked into the garden, on which he had bestowed so much
labor and pains, and which he was just bringing to perfection. Here we
had spent many pleasant hours together, and indulged that freedom of
conversation, the natural consequence of an unbounded confidence. The
double arbor he had reared, and so contrived as to screen from both
the south and the western sun, bid fair, in a short time, to screen us
also from every eye. Hitherto we had been confined to morning hours,
or afternoon, when it was shaded by the house; but had often pleased
ourselves with the hours we should spend in this cool retreat, even at
noonday, while, screened from the sun's scorching rays, we might enjoy
the refreshing breeze through its leafy openings; but these delightful
prospects were now for ever at an end. I might, indeed, there take my
seat; but the tongue which everywhere charmed, was buried in deepest
silence. The company which rendered every scene pleasant was gone,
never to return: his sheep, his goats, nay, even the poultry, were
often fed from his hand: every thing served to distract. As for my
children, they were by kind friends kept for some time out of my
sight; for not only to view them fatherless distressed me, but their
thoughtless mirth and play was altogether insupportable.

"I accepted an invitation from Mr. Gilbert's family to spend some
time in the country with them; for though it was impossible for me to