"While framing my reply she continued—
"'Your visit, sir, is wholly unexpected; I have never troubled the clergy, and I hope they will not trouble me; I have my sorrows, and I keep them to myself.'
"'They will overwhelm you unless aid be granted—'
"She interrupted me.
"'I seek it not, and therefore have no right to expect it. But why should I detain you sir,' said she, rising from her seat; 'there are others who may prize your presence more than I do.'
"One of Wilson's little volumes was in my hand. I proffered it with the remark—'You will perhaps read this in my absence?'
"She declined it with a gesture of impatience.
"'No! no! I seldom read, and my hourly endeavor now is not to think!
This way lies your road, sir. Farewell.'
"A more thoroughly unsatisfactory interview it is scarcely possible to imagine.
"Two years had rolled away, when, one morning, a message reached me that 'Dame Lassiter was ill,' and wished I would 'call in the course of the day.' Within the hour came another summons: 'Dame Lassiter was much worse,' and begged to 'see me without delay.' Before midday I was at the cottage. Her sole attendant,—a bold, saucy, harsh looking girl of eighteen,—awaited me at the threshold.