"I thought you would be revolted，Jane，when you saw my arm，and my cicatrised visage."

"Did you? Don"t tell me so- lest I should say something disparaging to your judgment. Now，let me leave you an instant，to make a better fire，and have the hearth swept up. Can you tell when there is a good fire?"

"Yes; with the right eye I see a glow- a ruddy haze."

"And you see the candles?"

"Very dimly- each is a luminous cloud."

"Can you see me?"

"No，my fairy: but I am only too thankful to hear and feel you."

"When do you take supper?"

"I never take supper."

"But you shall have some to-night. I am hungry: so are you，I daresay，only you forget."

Summoning Mary，I soon had the room in more cheerful order: I prepared him，likewise，a fortable repast. My spirits were excited，and with pleasure and ease I talked to him during supper，and for a long time after. There was no harassing restraint，no repressing of glee and vivacity with him; for with him I was at perfect ease，because I knew I suited him; all I said or did seemed either to console or revive him. Delightful consciousness! It brought to life and light my whole nature: in his presence I thoroughly lived; and he lived in mine. Blind as he was，smiles played over his face，joy dawned on his forehead: his lineaments softened and warmed.

After supper，he began to ask me many questions，of where I had been，what I had been doing，how I had found him out; but I gave him only very partial replies: it was too late to enter into particulars that night. Besides，I wished to touch no deep-thrilling chord- to open no fresh well of emotion in his heart: my sole present aim was to cheer him. Cheered，as I have said，he was: and yet but by fits. If a moment"s silence broke the conversation，he would turn restless，touch me，then say，"Jane."

"You are altogether a human being，Janet? You are certain of that?"