I looked into her serene face, almost classic in its outlines, with an expression of blended inquiry and surprise, that it was evident did not escape her observation, although she offered no explanation in regard to herself.
I turned again to the corpse, and examined it with some care.

There was nothing in its appearance that gave me any clue to the cause which had produced this sudden extinguishment of life.
"In what way was she excited ?" I asked, looking at the stranger as I stepped back from the couch on which the dead body was lying.
She returned my steady gaze, without answering, for some moments.
Either my tone or manner affected her unpleasantly, for I saw her brows contract slightly, her full lips close upon themselves, and her eyes acquire an intenser look.
"You have been her physician, I believe ?" There was no sign of feeling in the steady voice which made the inquiry.
"Yes." "_I_ need not, in that case, describe to you her unhappy state of mind.

_I_ need not tell you that an evil will had the mastery over her understanding, and that, in the fierce struggle of evil passion with evil passion, mind and body had lost their right adjustment." "I know all this," said I."Still, madam, in view of my professional duty, I must repeat my question, and urge upon you the propriety of an undisguised answer.

In what way was she excited?
and what was the cause leading to an excitement which has ended thus fatally ?" "I am not in the habit of putting on disguises," she answered, with a quiet dignity that really looked beautiful.
"I pray you, madam, not to misunderstand me," said I."As a physician, I must report the cause of all deaths in the range of my practice.

If I were not to do so in this case, a permit for burial would not be issued until a regular inquest was held by the Coroner." "Ah, I see," she replied, yet with an air of indecision.