As it may be presumed, he found her perfectly rational; but still he had no doubt of the assertions of his keepers, that she was insane at the time that she was sent to the asylum by Mr Ramsden.

The latter gentleman kept aloof until the issue of Mrs Forster's malady should be ascertained: if she recovered, it was his intention to call upon Doctor Beddington and explain the circumstances; if she died, he had determined to say nothing about it.

Mrs Forster's recovery was tedious; her mind was loaded with anxiety, and, what was infinitely more important, with deep remorse.

The supposed death of Mr Spinney had been occasioned by her violence, and she looked forward with alarm, as great as the regret with which she looked back upon her former behaviour.

When she called to mind her unfeeling conduct towards her husband,--the many years of bitterness she had created for him,--her infraction of the marriage vow--the solemn promise before God to love, honour, and obey, daily and hourly violated,--her unjust hatred of her only son,--her want of charity towards others,--all her duties neglected,--swayed only by selfish and malignant passions,--with bitter tears of contrition and self-abasement, she acknowledged that her punishment was just.