"My life has not been useful, it has been but joyless, and clouded with the shadow of death from my childhood." Her voice was broken, and tears trickled over her emaciated face. She put up her thin hand and brushed them away, as if ashamed of her emotion. "Sometimes I think if I could only live, and be strong, I would make myself useful in the world--would try to be less selfish and exacting, but all regrets are vain, and the indulged child of luxury must take her place in the pale realms of death along with the poverty-stricken and laboring. Beulah, I was in pain last night, and could not sleep, and for hours I seemed to hear the words of that horrible vision: 'And he saw how world after world shook off its glimmering souls upon the sea of Death, as a water-bubble scatters swimming lights on the waves.' Oh! my mind is clouded and my heart hopeless, it is dismal to stand alone as I do, and confront the final issue, without belief in anything. Sometimes, when the paroxysms are severe and prolonged, I grow impatient of the tedious delay, and would spring, open-armed, to meet Death, the deliverer." Beulah was deeply moved, and answered, with a faltering voice and trembling lip: "I wish I could comfort and cheer you; but I cannot--I cannot! If the hand of disease placed me to-day on the brink beside you, I should be as hopeless as you. Oh, Cornelia! it makes my heart ache to look at you now, and I would give my life to be able to stand where you do, with a calm trust in the God of Israel; but--" "Then be warned by my example. In many respects we resemble each other; our pursuits have been similar. Beulah, do not follow me to the end! Take my word for it, all is dark and grim." She sank back, too much exhausted to continue the conversation, and Beulah rose to go. "Can't you stay with me?" said the feeble girl. "No; my companionship is no benefit to you now. If I could help you I would not leave you at all." She pressed her lips to the forehead furrowed by suffering, and hastened away.