"Cheer up, Junius, and let us trust, dear boy, that you will successfully pass through the ordeal and live among men again. Have you completed everything that is necessary to be done? or are there some few things yet to be gotten ready?" Craft hoped to change the current of his friend's thoughts. "Nothing. Everything is ready for me, and I hope--aye, I know--I am ready myself;" and he raised his eyes glittering with his powerful will. "And to-night is your last with us? Oh, Cobb, I wish you would give this up!" imploringly said the other. "No, no; oh, press me not, Craft!" and he looked beseechingly at his friend. "I must advance to my task; it is impossible to retrace my steps, yet God knows the heart-pains which rack my breast; He alone can fathom the utter misery of my position. From father, mother, brother, and sister, and from friends most dear I am soon to be parted forever--forever, _forever_! Hear you the word? _forever!_" Like a wail of deepest anguish, prolonged and heart-breaking, came the last words, ending in a sob, as he sank into his chair and pressed his hands to his streaming eyes. Let him not be called weak. He who could face death with a smile upon his lips, now cried at simple separation. But, alas! how much meant the word, separation--forever, _forever_! The sound of carriage-wheels caused Cobb to start from his brooding. Raising his head, he glanced through the window just as the bright lights of a hack flashed along the road. "Our time is up!" he exclaimed, with a strong effort at firmness; "there is our hack. Take that box and your coats, while I will take this valise." Saying this, he arose and put the things together near the door; then entering the other room, he put out the lights. Returning to the front room, he and Craft took their several loads, turned down the lamps, and descended the stairs to the hack. Could anyone have seen Cobb's eyes in that dark hall, he would have seen the tears falling many and fast. His anguish was great, and it was all that he could do to refrain from crying out in his pain. The quarters that had sheltered him for many a day and many a night, were being left behind, never again to be occupied by him. His books and instruments, the companions of many happy hours, were to be used no more. He had taken his last look upon them. Oh, it was hard! and his strength was sublime to overcome the tendencies to a complete breakdown, and a bursting into a flood of tears. "Good-bye, dear old rooms! Good-bye to all that is in them--again, good-bye!" Craft heard his sobs as he uttered the words, and his eyes filled to overflowing. Down the walk they went without another word, and to the hack which was standing in the pouring rain, with its lights flashing out upon the night. There was no thought of the water that was streaming down upon them; other feelings filled their breasts. The door was thrown open, and Cobb motioned Craft to enter, and then followed himself.