"What is that?"

"Where?" asked Mrs. Morgan.

"Oh, it's nothing--I see. Only one of my old boots. I thought it a
great black cat."

Oh! what a shudder of despair seized upon the heart of the
wretched wife. Too well she knew the fearful signs of that
terrible madness from which, twice before, he had suffered. She
could have looked on calmly and seen him die--but, "Not this--not
this! Oh, Father in heaven!" she murmured, with such a heart-
sinking that it seemed as if life itself would go out.

"Get into bed, Joe; get into bed as quickly as possible."

Morgan was now passive in the hands of his wife, and obeyed her
almost like a child. He had turned down the bed-clothes, and was
about getting in, when he started back, with a look of disgust and
alarm.

"There's nothing there, Joe. What's the matter with you?"

"I'm sure I don't know, Fanny," and his teeth rattled together, as
he spoke. "I thought there was a great toad under the clothes."

"How foolish you are!"--yet tears were blinding her eyes as she
said this. "It's only fancy. Get into bed and shut your eyes. I'll
make you another cup of strong coffee. Perhaps that will do you