Though exhausted, faint, and weary, I trembled to profit by the approach of Sleep: My slumbers were constantly interrupted by some obnoxious Insect crawling over me.
Sometimes I felt the bloated Toad, hideous and pampered with the poisonous vapours of the dungeon, dragging his loathsome length along my bosom: Sometimes the quick cold Lizard rouzed me leaving his slimy track upon my face, and entangling itself in the tresses of my wild and matted hair: Often have I at waking found my fingers ringed with the long worms which bred in the corrupted flesh of my Infant.

At such times I shrieked with terror and disgust, and while I shook off the reptile, trembled with all a Woman's weakness.
Such was my situation, when Camilla was suddenly taken ill.

A dangerous fever, supposed to be infectious, confined her to her bed.
Every one except the Lay-Sister appointed to nurse her, avoided her with caution, and feared to catch the disease.

She was perfectly delirious, and by no means capable of attending to me.

The Domina and the Nuns admitted to the mystery, had latterly given me over entirely to Camilla's care: In consequence, they busied themselves no more about me; and occupied by preparing for the approaching Festival, it is more than probable that I never once entered into their thoughts.