A cold agony crept over me; I buried my head in the bed-clothes, in a child-like fear, and when I again ventured to look up, the spectre had vanished.

The event made a strong impression on my mind; and I can scarcely express the feeling of relief which was afforded, a few days after, by a letter from the identical friend in question, informing me of his recovery of health.
"It would be a weary task, and one which you would no doubt thank me for declining, to detail the circumstances of a hundred similar visitations, most of which were, in fact, but different combinations of the same illusion.

One striking exception I will mention, as it relates to some passages of my early history which you have already heard.
"I have never seen Mrs.H since her marriage.

Time, and the continued action of opium, deadening the old sensibilities of the heart and awakening new ones, have effected a wonderful change in my feelings towards her.

Little as the confession may argue in favor of my early passion, I seldom think of her, save with a feeling very closely allied to indifference.