I walked fast through the room: I stopped，half suffocated with the thoughts that rose faster than I could receive，prehend，settle them:- thoughts of what might，could，would，and should be，and that ere long. I looked at the blank wall: it seemed a sky thick with ascending stars,- every one lit me to a purpose or delight. Those who had saved my life，whom，till this hour，I had loved barrenly，I could now benefit. They were under a yoke,- I could free them: they were scattered,- I could reunite them: the independence，the affluence which was mine，might be theirs too. Were we not four? Twenty thousand pounds shared equally，would be five thousand each,- enough and to spare: justice would be done,- mutual happiness secured. Now the wealth did not weigh on me: now it was not a mere bequest of coin,- it was a legacy of life，hope，enjoyment.

How I looked while these ideas were taking my spirit by storm，I cannot tell; but I perceived soon that Mr. Rivers had placed a chair behind me，and was gently attempting to make me sit down on it. He also advised me to be posed; I scorned the insinuation of helplessness and distraction，shook off his hand，and began to walk about again.

"Write to Diana and Mary to-morrow," I said，"and tell them to e home directly. Diana said they would both consider themselves rich with a thousand pounds，so with five thousand they will do very well."

"Tell me where I can get you a glass of water," said St. John; "you must really make an effort to tranquillise your feelings."