The novels of Charles Brockden Brown, consisting of Wieland;or, The transformation. Arthur Mervyn; or, Memoirs of the year 1793. Edgar Huntly; or, Memoirs of a sleep-walker. Jane Talbot. Ormond; or, The secret witness. Clara Howard; or, The enthusiasm of love. With a memoir of the author.

THE SECRET WITNESS.

critically examined, and the patient was, with considerable difficulty, prevailed upon to undergo the necessary
operation. His success corresponded with Constantia's
wishes, and her father was once more restored to the enjoyment of light.
These were auspicious events. Constantia held herself amply repaid by them for all that she had suffered.
These sufferings had indeed been light, when conpared
with the effects usually experienced by others in a similar
condition. Her wisdom had extracted its sting from adversity, and, without allowing herself to feel much of the
evils of its reign, had employed it as an instrument by
which the sum of her present happiness was increased.
Few suffered less, in the midst of poverty, than she. No
one ever extracted more'felicity from the prosperous
reverse.
CHAPTER XVIII.
WHEN time had somewhat mitigated the memory of the
late disaster, the intercourse between Ormond and Constantia was renewed. The lady did not overlook her
obligations to her friend. It was to him that she was
indebted for her father's restoration to sight, and to whom
both owed, essentially, though indirectly, their present
affluence. In her mind, gratitude was no perverse or
ignoble principle. She viewed this man as the author
of extensive benefits, of which her situation enabled her
to judge with more accuracy than others. It created no
bias on her judgment, or, at least, none of which she was
sensible. Her equity was perfectly unfettered; and she
decided in a way contrary to his inclination, with as little
scruple as if the benefits had been received not by herself, but by him. She indeed intended his benefit, though
she thwarted his inclinations.
She had few visitants besides himself. Their interviews were daily and unformal. The fate of Helena
never produced any reproaches on her part. She saw