have no idea of the glorious satisfaction I take in crushing, destroying,
annihilating these black devils of evil memories that feed on hearts. It
is a triumph like a god's.

"But oh, the pity of it, the pity of it!" he added, sadly, as his hand
fell by his side, "that this so simple discovery has come so late in the
world's history! Think of the infinite multitude of lives it would have
redeemed from the desperation of hopelessness, or the lifelong shadow of
paralysing grief to all manner of sweet, good, and joyous uses!"

Henry opened the door slightly, and looked into the retiring-room.
Madeline was lying perfectly motionless, as he had seen her before. She
had not apparently moved a muscle. With a sudden fear at his heart, he
softly entered, and on tiptoe crossed the room and stood over her. The
momentary fear was baseless. Her bosom rose and fell with long, full
breathing, the faint flush of healthy sleep tinged her cheek, and the
lips were relaxed in a smile. It was impossible not to feel, seeing her
slumbering so peacefully, that the marvellous change had been indeed
wrought, and the cruel demons of memory that had so often lurked behind
the low, white forehead were at last no more.

When he returned to the office, Dr. Heidenhoff had seated himself, and
was contemplatively smoking.

"She was sleeping, I presume," he said.

"Soundly," replied Henry.

"That is well. I have the best of hopes. She is young. That is a
favourable element in an operation of this sort."