"Well, doctor," he said, smiling, "have you any more news for me?"
"Perhaps I may have," I answered, mysteriously. "What should you say if she entrusted me with a present to you?"
"A present from her! Oh, doctor, don't trifle with me. Is it really so?"
Hereupon I thrust my hand into my pocket, and produced the lock of hair, wrapped up in a piece of tissue paper. He made a snatch at it with his long lean fingers, and tearing it open, exclaimed, "Her hair! I could swear to it anywhere. What did she say, doctor, when she gave this into your hands?"
"She said," said I, "'Take this to my spirit lover, and tell him Edith sends him this in the flesh, and hopes to see him again in the spirit.'"
"Bless her! bless her!" he cried, enthusiastically kissing the relic repeatedly and pressing it to his heart.
I allowed this transport to pass well over before I spoke again. At length I enquired how he had passed the night.
"Badly," he replied, sulkily.
"What! have you not felt quieter, more composed?"
"Oh, yes," he answered; "you don't suppose that I am ignorant that you have been drugging me?" he said, casting at me a look of reproach.