Page:Tragical history of Jane Arnold (1).pdf/18

 her in his arms: while he joined with Rosetta in calling her by the most endearing appellations. As they led her home they endeavoured to inspire her with foititude and resignation. She answered only with heavy sighs, and some vague sentences. Alas! their gentle cares wore vain, Reason hid fled her brain; a melancholy despondence reigned there; and an oblivion of every transaction, but the source of her own irremediable woes. In vain were the physicians, and all their medical attendants, summoned; human skill was vain. Jane was doomed to linger out her existence a hapless maniac. She was perfectly harmless and tractable; and for whole days would wander in those places where she had been used to walk with Henry. She would sing the most plaintive airs, and converse with those who addressed her about him. From the villagers she gained the appellation of Crazy Jane; and this title soon became familiar to her own ears. Regularly at the close of the day, she returned to her father’s house; seldom she noticed any one in it, but retired to a small chamber, that was entirely appropriated to her own use. Jane continued in this state above two years, without any alteration in he mind, but a very alarming one in her person. She was now reduced to a mere shadow of her former self; her eyes no longer sparkled with brilliancy; her lips were robbed of the coral hue, and her cheeks assumed an ashly pale.

One morning instead of lying till a late hour,