Part 20 (2/2)

In a few hours, Mr Lucas returned with the physician;--I attended the their looks The fever still continued very high, acco, unsteady pulse, a difficult respiration, and strong palpitations of the heart The doctor said little, but I discovered his apprehensions in his countenance The patient appeared particularly restless and uneasy, and the deliriu the apartentlemen to tell me their opinion of the case They both expressed an apprehension of internal injury

'But a short time,' they added, 'would determine it; in the mean while he must be kept perfectly still'

I turned from them, and walked to the --I raised my eyes to heaven--I breathed an involuntary ejaculation--I felt that the crisis of , and I endeavoured to steel my nerves--to prepare my mind for the arduous duties which awaitedquitted the rooue_,' said he, in an eet other relations'

'I do not need, sir, to be res of a fellow being a sufficient clai claier to him, nor to his virtues'

'So I perceive, madam,' said he, with an air a little sarcastic, 'I wish, Mr Montague were here to participate your cares'

'I wish he were, sir, his generous nature would not disallow thehtily, and abruptly left hi to co the nursery, returned to the chamber of Mr Harley I there found Mr Lucas, and in a steady tone, declared ht

'As you please, madam,' said he coldly

I seatedmy head on my hand The bed curtains were undrawn on the side next ustus frequently started, as frorew, every roaned heavily, as if in great pain Once he suddenly raised hi wildly round the room, exclaimed in a distinct, but hurried tone--

'Why dost thou persecute ulf separates us!--Emma!' added he, in a plaintive voice, '_dost thou, indeed, still love ain on his pillow

Mr Lucas, who stood at the feet of the bed, turned his eye on lance with the steady aspect of conscious rectitude About onies, was seized with a vo of blood The fears of the physician were but too well verified, he had again ruptured the blood-vessel, once before broken

Mr Lucas had but just retired, I ordered hi, that ht incapacitate me for active exertion, I rendered him all the assistance in my power--I neither trembled, nor shed a tear--I banished the _woman_ from my heart--I acquitted raced the eon My services weresensibility, _affection had converted e continued, at intervals, all the next day: I passed once or twice from the chamber to the nursery, and immediately returned We called in a consultation, but little hope was afforded

The next night, Mr Lucas andour exhausted patient sunk into an apparently tranquil slumber Mr Lucas intreated me to retire, and take some repose, on my refusal, he availed hi to be called if any change should take place The nurse slept soundly in her chair, I alone reth seemed preserved as by a miracle, so oned throughout the house; I hung over the object of my tender cares--his features were serene--but his cheeks and lips were pale and bloodless Fro, pulse, so to stop, and then to vibrate with a tremulous h less laborious, was quick and short--a cold dew hung upon his teently wiped them with my handkerchief, and pressed my lips to his forehead Yet, at that moin affections--who the love of woot not that I was a wife and a s sanctified their enthusiash the house still reh, opened his eyes The loss of blood had calarded me attentively, and with evident surprize, the wildness of his eyes and countenance had given place to their accustomed steady expression He spoke in a faint voice

'Where am I, how came I here?'

I drew nearer to him--'An unfortunate accident has thrown you into the care of kind friends--you have been very ill--it is not proper that you should exert yourself--rely on those to whom your safety is precious'

He looked at listened--he breathed a half sh, but attehout the day, but evidently greeaker every hour--I quitted hiotten I sat, or knelt, at the bed's head, and, between his short and broken slumbers, administered cordial medicines He seemed to take them with pleasure from my hand, and a mournful tenderness at tith appeared equal to every trial

In the evening, starting from a troubled sleep, he fell into convulsions--I kept ain revived I supported the pillows on which his head reclined, sprinkled the bed cloaths, and bathed his teary water, while I wiped froth forced their way, they fell upon his hand, which rested on the pillow--he kissed theuid eyes, in which death was already painted

The blood forsaking the extre palpitation seized it, h forsaken s, and should I suffer theht n for a cordial, an attendant offering one--he waved his hand and turned from her his face--I took it--held it to his lips, and he instantly drank it Another strong eained the victory He spoke in feeble and interrupted periods--kneeling down, scarce daring to breathe, I listened

'I have a son,' said he,--'I aer a parent--transfer to him a portion of--'

'I comprehend you--say no more--_he is mine_--I adopt him--where shall I find--?'