consanguinity to Mr. Hadwin, and his place in the affections of Susan.
His welfare was essential to the happiness of those whose happiness had
become essential to mine. I witnessed the outrages of despair in the
daughter, and the symptoms of a deep but less violent grief in the
sister and parent. Was it not possible for me to alleviate their pangs?
Could not the fate of Wallace be ascertained?

This disease assailed men with different degrees of malignity. In its
worst form perhaps it was incurable; but, in some of its modes, it was
doubtless conquerable by the skill of physicians and the fidelity of
nurses. In its least formidable symptoms, negligence and solitude would
render it fatal.

Wallace might, perhaps, experience this pest in its most lenient
degree; but the desertion of all mankind, the want not only of medicines
but of food, would irrevocably seal his doom. My imagination was
incessantly pursued by the image of this youth, perishing alone, and in
obscurity; calling on the name of distant friends, or invoking,
ineffectually, the succour of those who were near.

Hitherto distress had been contemplated at a distance, and through the
medium of a fancy delighting to be startled by the wonderful, or
transported by sublimity. Now the calamity had entered my own doors,
imaginary evils were supplanted by real, and my heart was the seat of
commiseration and horror.

I found myself unfit for recreation or employment. I shrouded myself in
the gloom of the neighbouring forest, or lost myself in the maze of
rocks and dells. I endeavoured, in vain, to shut out the phantoms of the
dying Wallace, and to forget the spectacle of domestic woes. At length