Weaker than a Woman — page 240: what you’re looking at

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.WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. 231 The old butler, when he heard that, turned and quitted the room. He felt sure as to what was coming. Sir Owen lay perfectly still. The lamps were all lighted, and their clear, brilliant light fell on the compassionate . face of Felix Lonsdale, and on the troubled one of Sir Owen’s wife. “How bright and pleasant everything looks!” said the baronet. “How strange it seems to be lying here! I shall get up to-morrow.” Yet, when he tried to move, there was a sense of helplessness that he could not understand. “It is strange,” he said to Felix, “that I have neither wound nor bruise. I was quite stunned, but that is all. This numb- ness will go away with a few hours’ rest. I am so glad you are here, Lonsdale. -You will not leave me to-night, will you? I feel strangely wakeful, and it 1s dreadful to lie awake through the long hours of night. 2 “Of course I will stay,” he replied, “and Lady Chevenix, too.” ‘How strange it was, Lonsdale, that you and I should have been talking about death this morning! It must have been a foreboding of this accident. I have had a wonderful escape. I shall never forget it. I cannot think how it was that brute did not killme. Violet, come nearer to me, and let me hold your hand. What a strange sensation it is — to be frightened at nothing, as I am.” She came nearer to him, and took his hands in hers; he looked at her. *T have had a narrow escape,” he said again, with a shud- dering cry—‘a narrow escape. Violet, this will do what no lecturing and no sermon could do. It will make me a bet- ter man. [ will be a better man, my dear—I will, indeed. I will give up brandy, and I will be kinder to you; I will, Violet. I will look after things better than I have done. I will help the poor, and go to church.” There was a brief silence, and then he started suddenly. “I was asleep,” he said—‘asleep and dreaming. How strange! Ishall be better to-morrow. I wish this feeling oi numbness would go. It is nothing, but it is uncomfort- able—I cannot stir. I shall be a better man after this, Vio- let. We shall be happier than we have ever been yet. I wish to-morrow were come, that | might get up. Felix, you need not send for any doctors; I shall not want any. My head is dizzy ; it will soon be all right.” “They sent for doctors aS soon as you were carried home,” remarked Lady Chevenix. “They need not see me if they come,” he said. “ You can Comicbooks (e(0)