It's growing more and more wicked every day." It will be seen that no great change has come over Miss Rachel Harding, during the years that have intervened.

She takes the same disheartening view of human nature and the world's prospects as ever.

Nevertheless, her own hold upon the world seems as strong as ever.

Her appetite continues remarkably good, and, although she frequently expresses herself to the effect that there is little use in living, she would be as unwilling to leave the world as anyone.

It is not impossible that she derives as much enjoyment from her melancholy as other people from their cheerfulness.