He suffers dreadfully, and so do those that wait upon him.

But I will not harass you with further details: I have said enough, I think, to convince you that I did well to go to him.' * * * * * Poor, poor Helen! dreadful indeed her trials must have been! And I could do nothing to lessen them--nay, it almost seemed as if I had brought them upon her myself by my own secret desires; and whether I looked at her husband's sufferings or her own, it seemed almost like a judgment upon myself for having cherished such a wish.
The next day but one there came another letter.

That too was put into my hands without a remark, and these are its contents:-- Dec.

5th.
He is gone at last.

I sat beside him all night, with my hand fast looked in his, watching the changes of his features and listening to his failing breath.