beautifully wrought; but around the dial, which was circular, were ranged
many stars, and the planets, set in due order. These were lighted from
within by some chemical process, and burnt with a clear and lustrous, but
silver light. And Constance observed that the dial turned round, and that
the stars turned with it, each in a separate motion; and in the midst of
the dial were the bands as of a clock-that moved, but so slowly, that the
most patient gaze alone could observe the motion.

While the wondering Constance regarded this singular device, Lucilla
pointed to one star that burned brighter than the rest; and below it,
half-way down the dial, was another, a faint and sickly orb, that, when
watched, seemed to perform a much more rapid and irregular course than its
fellows.

"The bright star is his," said she; "and yon dim and dying one is the type
of mine. Note: in the course they both pursue they must meet at last; and
when they meet, the mechanism of the whole halts--the work of the dial is
for ever done. These hands indicate hourly the progress made to that end;
for it is the mimicry and symbol of mine. Thus do I number the days of my
fate; thus do I know, even almost to a second, the period in which I shall
join my Father that is in Heaven!

"And now," continued the maniac (though maniac is too harsh and decided a
word for the dreaming wildness of Lucilla's insanity), as, dropping the
curtain, she took her guest's hand and conducted her back into the outer
room--"and now, farewell! You sought me, and, I feel, only from kind and
generous motives. We never shall meet more. Tell not your husband that
you have seen me. He will know soon, too soon, of my existence: fain
would I spare him that pang and," growing pale as she spoke, "that peril;
but Fate forbids it. What is writ, is writ: and who shall blot God's