SECOND PERIOD
THE DISCOVERY OF THE TRUTH (1848-1849)
The events related in several narratives.
FIRST NARRATIVE
Contributed by MISS CLACK; niece of the late SIR JOHN VERINDER
CHAPTER I
I am indebted to my dear parents (both now in heaven) for having had
habits of order and regularity instilled into me at a very early age.
In that happy bygone time, I was taught to keep my hair tidy at all
hours of the day and night, and to fold up every article of my clothing
carefully, in the same order, on the same chair, in the same place at
the foot of the bed, before retiring to rest. An entry of the day's
events in my little diary invariably preceded the folding up. The
"Evening Hymn" (repeated in bed) invariably followed the folding up. And
the sweet sleep of childhood invariably followed the "Evening Hymn."
In later life (alas!) the Hymn has been succeeded by sad and bitter
meditations; and the sweet sleep has been but ill exchanged for the
broken slumbers which haunt the uneasy pillow of care. On the other
hand, I have continued to fold my clothes, and to keep my little diary.
The former habit links me to my happy childhood--before papa was ruined.
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