My companion held a
lamp; while I made as careful an examination as was possible under
the circumstances. I did not expect to find any marks of violence,
though I searched for them about her head, neck, and chest. But,
under the circumstances, I felt it to be my duty to know, from
actual search, that no such signs existed. In every aspect presented
by the corpse, there was a corroboration of the story related by the
serving man. It was plain, that in a fit of half insane,
uncontrollable passion, the nice adjustment of physical forces had
been lost.
"I am fully satisfied, madam," said I, at length, turning from my
unpleasant task.
She let her calm, earnest eyes dwell on mine for a few moments, and
then answered, with a softened tone, in which there was just a
perceptible thrill of feeling--
"If I were a believer in omens, I should take this sad incident,
following so quickly on our removal to a new country and a new home,
as foreshadowing evil to me or mine. But I do not so read external
events."
"Between a life like hers, and a life like yours, madam, there can
be no possible nearness; nor any relation between your spiritual
affinities and hers.
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