The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 148: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE STEAM PACKET, 107 -_ “My lord!—is this you iv aaeaiae with all rai mystery !”’ ejaculated De Renal. fad “Itis l—it is I!” aneweted Count Hyacinth Saint Honoré, speak- ing rapidly, and in a tone expressive of deepemotions. “We baie not. a moment to lose: in the name of that God whom you fear—and in whose redemption yow still believe—follow me !”’ Jules de Renal uttered not a word in reply ; but throwing his rusty beaver upon his head, and having extinguished his lamp, he obeyed the mandate of the archdeacon, who led the way in silence to his own residence. Glancing anxiously around him, the priest opened a side- door with a key which he took from beneath his cloak, and admitted the surgeon into a spacious apartment, faintly lighted by a wax- candle. ‘«M. de Renal,” said the count, turning sharply round upon the young man, and surveying him with glances which seemed to read his very soul, ‘‘ I believe you to be aman of honour—may heaven grant that I be not deceived! Should you betray the secret I am about to confide to you, this dagger—’’ and he showed one beneath his outer garments as he spoke,—‘‘all priest as I am, shall drink your heart’s blood. ‘Excuse this threat; you will presently comprehend its necessity.” ‘Whatever be the nature of your secret, it shall never be revealed by me on this side of the tomb!” exclaimed the surgeon emphatically. _) “And your reward shall be proportionate to your fidelity,” re- turned the priest. ‘‘ Here is an earnest of my liberality!” The purse which he presented to the surgeon: was heavy, and the metallic sound)its contents gave forth was the welcome one of gold— that sound so sweet to the ears of the hungry, cold, _— and despairing youth. The archdeacon rang a silver bell which stood upon the man+ telpiece;. and in a moment afterwards an old woman entered the room. ‘“‘ Follow her,” said i sarees > “she will conduct you whither your duty now ale you.” Jules de Renal obeyed the directions of the priest, with a species of mechanical promptitude ; and while he was absent the arehdeacon paced the room with hasty and uneven steps. Inan hour Jules de Renal returned to the apartment. , “ My patient is as well as can be expected,” said the pees ; ‘she 4s 8 the mother of a boy.”’ * And the boy—the boy,” murmured the priest, fincendlibe fire flashing from his eyes,—‘“‘is he healthy ? 1s he likely to—to——”’ _., He appears strong and perfect in his organisation,” answered ‘the (©) COMMIGCLIOOMES