"You have saved my life: I have a pleasure in owing you so immense a debt. I cannot say more. Nothing else that has being would have been tolerable to me in the character of creditor for such an obligation: but you: it is different;--I feel your benefits no burden, Jane."

     He paused; gazed at me: words almost visible trembled on his lips,--but his voice was checked.

     "Good-night again, sir. There is no debt, benefit, burden, obligation, in the case."

     "I knew," he continued, "you would do me good in some way, at some time;--I saw it in your eyes when I first beheld you: their expression and smile did not"--(again he stopped)--"did not" (he proceeded hastily) "strike delight to my very inmost heart so for nothing. People talk of natural sympathies; I have heard of good genii: there are grains of truth in the wildest fable. My cherished preserver, goodnight!"

     Strange energy was in his voice, strange fire in his look.

     "I am glad I happened to be awake," I said: and then I was going.