142 GENTLENESS IS POWER. 
ple. The most pitiable condition to which humanity can be reduced 
is, the enduring of bodily pain with an upbraiding heart. Like anta- 
gonist powers in mechanism, each acts upon and strengthens the 
other. Aborzuf was, in every point of view, an object of commisera- 
tion to a humane and reflecting mind. He was a specimen of a na- 
ture primitively good, but which has been distorted in the training. 
He was a man of fearless courage and unbending pride, who had been 
vanquished by a mere mob. He was deplorably wounded ; his career 
of life, he knew, had been little better than one scene of violence ; he 
was in the momentary expectation of a fate to which that of the com- 
mon felon is enviable ; and, to complete the catalogue of his miseries, 
the conviction that he had not attached to himself one affectionate heart, 
smote upon his own with unpitying retribution. In this state of body 
and mind he lay, alternating groans of anguish and exclamations of 
remorse, and which, at times, bordered upon delirium. Caranza for 
some time stood at his side, without his being conscious of her pre- 
sence. At length the sound of her voice in a degree recalled his scat- 
tered faculties so far as to enable him to enquire where he was, and 
to demand something to drink. His ministering angel answered the 
first part of his request, adding that all was peaceable without ; and 
in complying with the latter she mingled a mild anodyne with his 
draught, which soothed him into a refreshing sleep. When he awoke 
the same attendant was at his side, ready to anticipate his wishes and 
necessities. With a hand soft as settling gossamer, and a promptitude 
and assiduity in which woman ever will remain unrivalled, she dressed 
his wounds and arranged all his little comforts. Her foot-fall about 
the room was inaudible, and her answers to all his questions were low 
and cheerful. When he desired to know how the fight had ended, 
she pleasantly answered by desiring that he would use his endeavours 
to be quickly recovered, and all should be told him. This state of 
things continued for many weary days; at length, after a month of 
severe suffering on his part, and of unmitigated attendance on her’s, 
upon one occasion, while she was performing for him some little office 
of gentleness, and that he had continued thoughtfully musing upon all 
her generosity, she was surprised to perceive a tear upon his cheek. 
« Surprised,” indeed, it may be said, for she never could have antici- 
pated from him such a manifestation of the softer feelings of our na- 
ture. Hope, that ever rode triumphant upon the waves of all her 
troubles, inspired her with an emotion to avail herself of the golden 
moment, and, with her own sweet confidence in good intention, she 
