Lincoln would listen, and gaze on her as if drawn by some superior power--irresistibly so.

He listened, but seldom said a word." Preparations were made for the marriage between Lincoln and Miss Todd.
But they were interrupted by a painful occurrence--a sudden breaking out of a fit of melancholy, or temporary insanity, such as had afflicted Lincoln on a former occasion.

This event has been made the subject of no little gossip, into which it is not now necessary or desirable to go, further than to mention that at about this time Lincoln seems to have formed a strong attachment for Miss Matilda Edwards, a sister of Ninian W.Edwards; and that the engagement with Miss Todd was for a time broken off.

In consequence of these complications, Lincoln's health was seriously affected.

He suffered from melancholy, which was so profound that "his friends were alarmed for his life." His intimate companion, Mr.Speed, endeavored to rescue him from the terrible depression, urging that he would die unless he rallied.