"'From her childhood, her mother used to tell me. For years past I have endeavored to bring her to a more cheerful frame of mind by travel and constant change of scene, but I fear my efforts were wasted.'
"'Was her mother of a similar disposition?'
"'Yes. It is a natural inference that it was inherited.'
"'How did you pass the day before her death?'
"'We breakfasted together in the morning--a simple breakfast, which she herself got ready--and then I went into the city to complete the arrangements for our journey, and to settle my monetary affairs. This occupied several hours. At six o'clock I returned home, with the intention of taking her out to dinner; but she had a little dinner prepared for us, and said she would enjoy it much more than dining out. After dinner we chatted, and she played upon her zither.'
"'Cheerful airs?'
"'No; but she was a very sweet player, and whether her music was sad or bright, it was a pleasure to listen to it.'
"'Have you at any time observed a disposition in her to commit suicide?'
"'Never; and I never heard her utter a word to indicate that she was tired of life.'
"'Was her general health good?'