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the heir of redclyffe-第106部分

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write to Hollywell; it made her shudder to think of the misery she 

might have inflicted in the former letters; where she had not spared 

the detail of her worst fears and conjectures; and by no means softened 

the account; as she had done to his sister。



Late in the afternoon the physician came; and she heard of his being 

quieter; indeed; there were no sounds below。  It grew dark; Arnaud 

brought lights; and told her Captain Morville had sunk into stupor。  

After another long space; the doctor came to take some coffee; and said 

the fever was lessening; but that strength was going with it; and if 

〃le malade〃 was saved; it would be owing to the care and attention of 

〃le chevalier〃。



Of Guy she saw no more that evening。  The last bulletin was pencilled 

by him on a strip of paper; and sent to her at eleven at night:



'Pulse almost nothing; deadly faintness; doctor does not give him up; 

it may be many hours: don't sit up; you shall hear when there is 

anything decisive。'



Amy submitted; and slowly put herself to bed; because she thought Guy 

would not like to find her up; but she had little sleep; and that was 

dreamy; full of the same anxieties as her waking moments; and perhaps 

making the night seem longer than if she had been awake the whole time。



At last she started from a somewhat sounder doze than usual; and saw it 

was becoming light; the white summits of the mountains were beginning 

to show themselves; and there was twilight in the room。  Just then she 

heard a light; cautious tread in the passage; the lock of Guy's 

dressing…room was gently; slowly turned。  It was over then!  Life or 

death?  Her heart beat as she heard her husband's step in the next 

room; and her suspense would let her call out nothing but'I am not 

asleep!'



Guy came forward; and stood still; while she looked up to the outline 

of his figure against the window。  With a kind of effort he said; with 

forced calmness'He'll do now! and came to the bedside。  His face was 

wet with tears; and her eyes were over…flowing。  After a few moments he 

murmured a few low words of deep thanksgivings; and again there was a 

silence。



'He is asleep quietly and comfortably;' said Guy; presently; 'and his 

pulse is steadier。  The faintness and sinking have been dreadful; the 

doctor has been sitting with his hand on his pulse; telling me when to 

put the cordial into his mouth。  Twice I thought him all but gone; and 

till within the last hour; I did not think he could have revived; but 

now; the doctor says we may almost consider the danger as over。'



'Oh; how glad I am!  Was he sensible?  Could he speak?'



'Sensible at least when not fainting; but too weak to speak; or often; 

to look up。  When he did though; it was very kindly; very pleasantly。  

And now! This is joy coming in the morning; Amy!'



'I wonder if you are happier now than after the shipwreck;' said Amy; 

after a silence。



'How can you ask?  The shipwreck was a gleam; the first ray that came 

to cheer me in those penance hours; when I was cut off from all; and 

now; oh; Amy! I cannot enter into it。  Such richness and fullness of 

blessing showered on me; more than I ever dared to wish for or dream 

of; both in the present and future hopes。  It seems more than can 

belong to man; at least to me; so unlike what I have deserved; that I 

can hardly believe it。  It must be sent as a great trial。'



Amabel thought this so beautiful; that she could not answer; and he 

presently gave her some further particulars。  He went back in spite of 

her entreaties that he would afford himself a little rest; saying that 

the doctor was obliged to go away; and Philip still needed the most 

careful watching。  Amy could not sleep any more; but lay musing over 

that ever…brightening goodness which had lately at all times almost 

startled her from its very unearthliness。











CHAPTER 32







Sure all things wear a heavenly dress;

Which sanctifies their loveliness;

Types of that endless resting day;

When we shall be as changed as they。HYMN FOR SUNDAY





From that time there was little more cause for anxiety。  Philip was; 

indeed; exceedingly reduced; unable to turn in bed; to lift his head; 

or to speak except now and then a feeble whisper; but the fever was 

entirely gone; and his excellent constitution began rapidly to repair 

its ravages。  Day by day; almost hour by hour; he was rallying; 

spending most of his time profitably in sleep; and looking very 

contented in his short intervals of waking。  These became each day 

rather longer; his voice became stronger; and he made more remarks and 

inquiries。  His first care; when able to take heed of what did not 

concern his immediate comfort; was that Colonel Deane should be written 

to; as his leave of absence was expired; but he said not a word about 

Hollywell; and Amabel therefore hoped her surmise was right; that his 

confession had been prompted by a delirious fancy; though Guy thought 

something was implied by his silence respecting the very persons of 

whom it would have been natural to have talked。



He was very patient of his weakness and dependence; always thankful and 

willing to be pleased; and all that had been unpleasant in his manner 

to Guy was entirely gone。  He liked to be waited on by him; and 

received his attentions without laborious gratitude; just in the way 

partly affectionate; partly matter of course; that was most agreeable; 

showing himself considerate of his fatigue; though without any of his 

old domineering advice。



One evening Guy was writing; when Philip; who had been lying still; as 

if asleep; asked; 'Are you writing to Hollywell?'



'Yes; to Charlotte; but there is no hurry; it won't go till tomorrow。  

Have you any message?



'No; thank you。'



Guy fancied he sighed; and there was a long silence; at the end of 

which he asked; 'Guy; have I said anything about Laura?'



'Yes;' said Guy; putting down the pen。



'I thought so; but I could not remember;' said Philip; turning round; 

and settling himself for conversation; with much of his ordinary 

deliberate preparation; 'I hope it was not when I had no command of 

myself?'



'No; you were seldom intelligible; you were generally trying to speak 

Italian; or else talking about Stylehurst。  The only time you mentioned 

her was the night before the worst。'



'I recollect;' said Philip。  'I will not draw back from the resolution 

I then made; though I did not know whether I had spoken it; let the 

consequences be what they may。  The worst is; that they will fall the 

most severely on her: and her implicit reliance on me was her only 

error。'



His voice was very low; and so full of painful feeling that Guy doubted 

whether to let him enter on such a subject at present; but remembering 

the relief of free confession; he thought it best to allow him to 

proceed; only now and then putting in some note of sympathy or of 

interrogation; in word or gesture。



'I must explain;' said Philip; 'that you may see how little blame can 

be imputed to her。  It was that summer; three years ago; the first 

after you came。  I had always been her chief friend。  I saw; or thought 

I saw; cause for putting her on her guard。  The result has shown that 

the danger was imaginary; but no matterI thought it real。  In the 

course of the conversation; more of my true sentiments were avowed than 

I was aware of; she was very young; and before we; either of us; knew 

what we were doing; it had been equivalent to a declaration。  Well!  I 

do not speak to excuse the concealment; but to show you my motive。  If 

it had been known; there would have been great displeasure and 

disturbance; I should have been banished; and though time might have 

softened matters; we should both have had a great deal to go through。  

Heaven knows what it may be now!  And; Guy;' he added; breaking off 

with trembling eagerness; 'when did you hear from Hollywell?  Do you 

know how she has borne the news of my illness?'



'We have heard since they knew of it;' said Guy; 'the letter was from 

Mrs。 Edmonstone to Amy; but she did not mention Laura。'



'She has great strength; she would endure anything rather than give 

way; but how can she have borne the anxiety and silence?  You are sure 

my aunt does not mention her?'



'Certain。  I will ask Amy for the letter; if you like。'



'No; do not go; I must finish; since I have begun。  We did not speak of 

an engagement; it was little more than an avowal of preference; I doubt 

whether she understood what it amounted to; and I desired her to be 

silent。  I deceived myself all along; by declaring she was free; and I 

had never asked for her promise; but those things will not do when we 

see death face to face; and a resolve made at such a moment must be 

kept; let it bring what it may。'



'True。'



'She will be 
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