Thisaccident，withthelossofmyinsurance，andwiththemoreseriouslossofmyhair，thewholeofwhichhadbeensingedoffbythefire，predisposedmetoseriousimpressions，sothat，finally，I
madeupmymindtotakeawife。Therewasarichwidowdisconsolateforthelossofherseventhhusband，andtoherwoundedspiritI
offeredthebalmofmyvows。Sheyieldedareluctantconsenttomyprayers。Ikneltatherfeetingratitudeandadoration。Sheblushedandbowedherluxurianttressesintoclosecontactwiththosesuppliedme，temporarily，byGrandjean。Iknownothowtheentanglementtookplace，butsoitwas。Iarosewithashiningpate，wigless；sheindisdainandwrath，halfburiedinalienhair。Thusendedmyhopesofthewidowbyanaccidentwhichcouldnothavebeenanticipated，tobesure，butwhichthenaturalsequenceofeventshadbroughtabout。
Withoutdespairing，however，Iundertookthesiegeofalessimplacableheart。Thefateswereagainpropitiousforabriefperiod；butagainatrivialincidentinterfered。Meetingmybetrothedinanavenuethrongedwiththe_閘ite_ofthecity，Iwashasteningtogreetherwithoneofmybestconsideredbows，whenasmallparticleofsomeforeignmatter，lodginginthecornerofmyeye，renderedme，forthemoment，completelyblind。BeforeIcouldrecovermysight，theladyofmylovehaddisappeared-irreparablyaffrontedatwhatshechosetoconsidermypremeditatedrudenessinpassingherbyungreeted。WhileIstoodbewilderedatthesuddennessofthisaccident，whichmighthavehappened，nevertheless，toanyoneunderthesun，andwhileIstillcontinuedincapableofsight，I
wasaccostedbytheAngeloftheOdd，whoprofferedmehisaidwithacivilitywhichIhadnoreasontoexpect。Heexaminedmydisorderedeyewithmuchgentlenessandskill，informedmethatIhadadropinit，andwhatevera“drop“wastookitout，andaffordedmerelief。