CHAPTER VII. O Heavens ! Why does my blood thus muster to my heart, And dispossessing all my other parts Of necessary fitness? SHAKSPEARE. WHILE these events were occurring in London, the inmates of Hales Court were unremitting in their attentions to the stranger, who, in consequence of his accident in Goathurst-wood, had been so unexpectedly thrown upon their hospitality and protection. The result of Mr. Shelton's consultation with Father Bartholomew was a determination not to call in another professional man to supply the place of the surgeon whose fears had made him decline a continuance of his visits. If there were ground for these misgivings, and every fresh observation seemed to confirm their justice, it would be perilous for all parties to extend the circle of their confidents; it might endanger the liberty, perhaps the life of the patient, without adequately advantaging his health; for the priest, with the instructions he had received, flattered himself that he was competent to effect his cure, notwithstanding the surgeon's sinister prediction, that the fever which had manifested itself was likely to fall upon the brain. Appearances at first did not seem to warrant this apprehension, all immediate danger having been obviated by the excessive bleeding to which the invalid had been subjected, but which, while it had probably been the means of preserving his mental faculties, had so completely exhausted and enervated his body, that some time threatened to elapse before he would be in a condition to leave the house. Although he could not deny his debility, and his utter inaptitude for travelling, he testified the utmost impatience to be gone, endeavouring to conceal the prostration of his strength, and earnestly imploring that he might be sent away in any easy vehicle that could be procured, or even in a litter, if he were deemed unable to support the motion of a carriage. He intimated that money was no object to him whatever; that he should wish to be moved at night to avoid observation, and conveyed towards the coast, requesting at the same time that the domestics of Hales Court, and the peasants who were instrumental in bringing him thither, a service for which they should be well rewarded, might be enjoined to observe a strict secrecy upon the subject. "Whatever may be your motives for this concealment," said Mr. Shelton, "I believe them to be honourable ones; I shall exact no confidence that you may not feel spontaneously disposed to offer, and which indeed it may be better for all parties that you should withhold; but in common humanity I cannot suffer you to depart while you are thus deplorably helpless, and afflicted moreover with a fever which may require the most delicate treatment to prevent its taking a dangerous turn. In this respect, and in this only, I must put a restraint upon your wishes, and make you my prisoner until you can be removed with safety. Were you to venture forth in your present precarious plight, your life would in all probability pay the forfeit of your rashness." 66 My life!" exclaimed the stranger, speaking with an energy and enthusiasm that gave no intimation of his reduced state," If that only were at stake, I should feel none of this anxiety and fiery impatience. My life! I have perilled it a thousand times over; it is in imminent jeopardy at this very moment; for months past I have never laid down my head at night without an expectation that ere the morrow dawned I might be a prisoner or a corpse, and yet I would run this frightful gauntlet for years to come, ay, had I ten thousand lives I would surrender them all, if thus I could assure the triumph of the glorious cause in which I am embarked. Oh, what am I? Oh, what would it import that the pulsation of this individual heart should be stopped before its time, if so the hearts of millions might throb in the joy of recovered civil and religious freedom? Away with sickness! this is no moment to be ill. the dogs, I'll none on't!' Throw physic to Hark! it is the voice of England calling upon me to be her champion in the coming struggle. I am well. I am recovered at the sound, I am as strong as ever. Be pleased to lend me your hand, Sir, that I may rise from the couch I must quit your house instantly." "My good friend, I entreat you to be composed; this excited state of feeling will have a most injurious effect upon your health; and how can you suppose I would suffer you to quit my house when you are unable to rise from your couch?" "It is for your sake, more than for my own, that I am thus anxious to be gone; I have spoken openly, unguardedly, on purpose that you might feel alarm and eject me, and yet you will not take the hint; yet you suffer your |