The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 326: what you’re looking at

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_ THE MYSTERIES OF THR COURT. 315 hovering in his mind, it struck him that he heard a| too: but he soon discovered that you was both sound like a splashing in the water. He stopped A ery for help now mot his ears; and convinced that some accident had occurred, he rushed back in in that part. He could swim well ; much enfeebled his recent When he awoke to life again, he was m bed m a very ensll, huxoble-looking, but neat chamber. He had the taste of some burning spirit in hie mouth; alive, though senseless, —seo he run back to the cottage, got me and my daughter to go down with him, and between us three we evon got you here safe. John undressed you and got you into bed} and here have I been more than half-an-hour trying to bring youto. I really was afraid at one time it was all up with you.” Deveril could not speak, so heavy was the sense of exhaustion upon him: but his looks showed his gratitude. “We have put your clothes to dry by the fire,” continued the woman, who, if she was discreet enough to bid Deveril not to talk too much, seemed inclined to be garrulous herself: “ but I don’t think you will be able to move out of this place to-day. If you like to stay here, sir, I am sure you are quite welcome, A gentleman like you that risks his life for a poor gipey kind of woman as t other is, de- serves every attention--and you will get ithere. If you want to send anywhere and tell your friends what's happened and where you are, my son John will hurry off end deliver the 7 Derveril'now gained strength enough to reply that he was a mere temporary visitor at Gainsborough, and that there was no necessity for any trouble to be taken on his behalf, unless it were that John should gp to the hotel et which he had put up and procure a change of apparel from his portmanteau. ingly, provided with the requisite instruc tions, the sturdy peasant set out on his errand. Boon afterwards Deveril fell inte a deep sleep ; and when he awoke again, the erubescent beams of the setting sun wereahining in the lattice window of the little chamber. He had thus slept many houra, and was consider- ably refreshed, John had returned long ago with the garments ha had sent for; and the woman of the cottage brought the patient up some good broth which she had prepared for him while he alumbered. He did ample justice to her frugal fare, and felt in- | vigorated bythe meal Nevortheloss, as the cottage “Ah! now he opens his eyes again,” onied the | wae three miles distant from Gainsborough, and woman, in the joyful tone which indicated a kind and benevolent heart. “That's all right,” eaid « tall etalwart-looking peasant, entering from another room at the of the woman's voice. “The gin did it—I told you i$ would, mother.” “Or the chafing and the rubbing—which, John ?” anid the kind-hearted old creature. “ But how doses the woman get on P” “Sister snys she’s nics enough,” returned the peasant. “Pray how do you feel now, sir ?” “ Better—thanks to the kind care which I have evidently received here,” responded Deveril, to whom the question was weak voice, and he fels that he was indeed much exhausted. “TI suppoge is wae am aceident, sri” said the peasant. “Yes: the woman, to whom I presume you have alluded, fell into the river. I sucoseded in saving ona was so enfecbled that I fainted on the “Don’t talk too much, there's a dear vouug gen- tleman,” said the old woman. “My Jehn was back | spon shirt there was no conveyance without sending thither for one, he resolved upon steying where he was till the morning, in the hope that a good night's rest might restore him. Having thus expressed himself, he inquired relative to the woman whom he had resoucd from the river. “She is up, and as well again as if nothing had hap * wes the response, given by the old female of the cottage. “Her clothes were dried by might thank you for risking your own life to save : but he spoke mm a very , hers. “She wishes to ese ma, then?” said Deveril. “You can tell her to come in.” The woman of the cottage first of all drew the little ourtein over the window, for it was now dusk j and she then lighted a candle in the ruom. Deveril raised himself partially on the bolster, and pushed the cloud of blesk hair which had intruded his noble forehead. He hed on a coarse belonging to the peasant; and the collar happening to be deficient in a button, it was all dreadfully alarmed when he saw what he thought open at the neck. This circumstance Deveril did wes twu dead bodies lying om the bank, side by side not perceive; but bad a painter or a sculptor bees COMIC LOO \ CO