A few days after the good man had left us, I met with a serious
accident, caused by a false step on the stone stairs of
the prison.

The long illness which followed this misfortune, and my removal
afterward (in the interests of my recovery) to a milder climate
than the climate of England, obliged me to confide the duties of
governor of the prison to a representative. I was absent from
my post for rather more than a year. During this interval no news
reached me from my reverend friend.

Having returned to the duties of my office, I thought of writing
to the Minister. While the proposed letter was still in
contemplation, I was informed that a lady wished to see me. She
sent in her card. My visitor proved to be the Minister's wife.

I observed her with no ordinary attention when she entered
the room.

Her dress was simple; her scanty light hair, so far as I could
see it under her bonnet, was dressed with taste. The paleness of
her lips, and the faded color in her face, suggested that she was
certainly not in good health. Two peculiarities struck me in
her personal appearance. I never remembered having seen any other
person with such a singularly narrow and slanting forehead as
this lady presented; and I was impressed, not at all agreeably,
by the flashing shifting expression in her eyes. On the other
hand, let me own that I was powerfully attracted and interested
by the beauty of her voice. Its fine variety of compass, and its