On the other hand, in the ordinary course of nature, not one half of that life had yet elapsed.

What trials might the future have in store for me?
and what protection against them would the better part of my nature be powerful enough to afford?
"While I was still troubled by these doubts, the measure of my disasters was filled by an attack of illness which threatened me with death.

My medical advisers succeeded in saving my life--and left me to pay the penalty of their triumph by the loss of one of my senses.
"At an early period of my convalescence, I noticed one day, with languid surprise, that the voices of the doctors, when they asked me how I had slept and if I felt better, sounded singularly dull and distant.

A few hours later, I observed that they stooped close over me when they had something important to say.

On the same evening, my day nurse and my night nurse happened to be in the room together.