situation in a friend's house in Montreal, but they in turn became
frightened of her, and dismissed her, which dismissal, strange to say,
she attributed _to me_. She now imagines herself to be my wife's
sister, and demands an entrance into my house, denouncing me in the
vilest terms, and writing scandalous letters to all my acquaintances."

"Are you sure she is insane?"

"Well, I have long tried to persuade myself that she is not, but
latterly she has grown so violent that I am afraid that what I said
years ago to my late wife in fun about her being demented was only
painfully true. If you would kindly visit her and give me your
opinion concerning her case, you would oblige me very much."

"What does her present mistress say about her?"

"Oh she has only been there a short time and has not yet given an
exhibition of her oratorical powers. Still the lady who is a
clergyman's widow, told me that she walks about her room in the
middle of the night, talking wildly to herself."

Dr. Tuffnell had not time to visit Miss Wilson that morning, but he
made an appointment with Mr. D'Alton for the following day, and
together they went to the unfortunate girl's residence. Arrived at
the house they rang the bell, and inquired for Mrs. Brookes, the
mistress.

Mrs. Brookes was a middle-aged lady of a retiring disposition. Her
husband had died at an early age, leaving her to take care of three
young children. Her temporal wants however, were provided for, her