After the members of his household had retired that night, William sat thinking as he had never thought before. He believed he had solved the cause of various phenomena through the use of mesmeric influence. He was able to demonstrate their basic principles to his friends or indeed to strangers, by the application of his knowledge, without relying upon theories or conjectures, and to perform marvelous feats by the aid of his powers, yet he was completely non-plussed by two members of his own family, who, although they did not doubt the efficacy of his powers, exhibited the very opposite traits to what he desired when he endeavored to work upon them.

While he sat there, deep in thought, he felt a hand upon his shoulder, and, looking up, saw Clarissa standing before him.

"William, why are you not in bed and sleeping? Does anything trouble you? You looked so sad when I came in—"

"I am a little perplexed, but not troubled. How came you here, dear? Can you not sleep? Are you ill?"

"No; I went to sleep, directly I went to bed. I dreamed you were here, alone and troubled, and I have little, if any recollection of leaving or coming here, but here I am. William, did you will me to come to you?"

"No, Clarissa; I supposed you were sleeping, and I would not disturb your sleep."

"Then how did I come here? I did not know you were here. I remember dreaming you were here; that is all."

"You must have felt I was lonely, and your goodness of heart brought you here to comfort me. That thought makes me happy. You must go back, or you will take cold."

"But, William, when I first asked you, you said that you were not troubled; now you say you are."

"Only troubled to understand myself, and some scientific problems that have been brought to my attention."

"You are wise, William; I wish you would explain to me some of the things I have seen since I have been ill. Oh! I don't mean right now; tomorrow;—any time when you are not engaged."

"Certainly;—I will do my best. Clarissa, are you happier here than you were before you came back to me?"

"Yes."

"Now I will go and stay with you until you are sound asleep. Here is Dinah. Did you think she was lost, Dinah?"

"No, master; but she acted so strange I was afraid that she was sick."

"Acted strange when?"

"Why, master, she went to sleep right after she retired and seemed so quiet like, I thought I would go and see Augustus. Then I remembered he wanted me to do an errand for him—I promised not to tell what it was,—as I was going back to him, I met Mistress Clarissa coming down here. I spoke to her, but she did not answer me, and said, 'Yes, William I know—I am coming.' I touched her, but she didn't look around, only said, 'Yes, William.' I thought sure she was walking in her sleep, and I ought to watch her, but if I had known you were here, Master William, I would not have come in."

"You did just right, Dinah;—I am glad you watched her. Now go to Augustus. I will stay with her till she sleeps soundly and well."

"William, I do not remember meeting Dinah; surely, you must have willed me to come to you, or I would not have known where to find you, nor failed to see Dinah when she spoke. Did you not call me, William?"

"No, Clarissa; no more than I do always when you are absent. Your image is never away from my consciousness, and whatever subject may claim my attention, you are always present in my mind. I did not will you. I hoped with all the power of my soul you were enjoying a sweet and dreamless sleep."

"I think it strange. I did not know you were here. I came here without knowing it, and you say you did not call me."

"No; but do not worry about it. I am going back with you, and will stay until you are sound asleep. Do not try to explain your coming here. We will do that together later. I always want you near me; possibly when you were sleeping, you became sensitive to that thought. Come. You will be ill tomorrow."