ver these disagreeable details. It is enough to say that
poor Fenton was put into clean linen and decent clothes, and that in
a couple of hours they were once more on their way with him, to the
metropolis, the doctor accompanying them, as their prisoner.
The conduct of Corbet was on this occasion very singular. He complained
that the stench of the dungeon in which they found Fenton had sickened
him; but, notwithstanding this, something like ease of mind might be
read in his countenance whenever he looked upon Fenton; something that,
to the stranger at least, who observed him closely, seemed to say, "I am
at last satisfied: the widow's heart will be set at rest, and the plans
of this black villain broken to pieces." His eye occasionally gleamed
wildly, and again his countenance grew pale and haggard, and he
complained of headache and pains about his loins, and in the small of
his back.
On arriving in Dublin, the stranger brought Fenton to his hotel, where
he was desirous to keep him for a day or two, until he should regain
a little strength, that he might, without risk, be able to sustain the
interview that was before him. Aware of the capricious nature of the
young man's feelings, and his feeble state of health, he himself kept
aloof from him, lest his presence might occasion such a shock as would
induce anything like a fit of insanity--a circumstance which must mar
the pleasure and gratification of his unexpected reappearance. That
medical advice ought instantly to be procured was evident from his
extreme weakness, and the state of apathy into which he had sunk
immediately after, his removal from the cell. This was at once provided;
but unfortunately it seemed that all human skill was likely to prove
unavailable, as the physician, on seeing and examining him, expressed
himself with strong doubts as to the possibility of his recovery. In
fact, he feared that his unhappy patient had not many days to live.
He ordered him wine, tonics, and light but nutritious food to be taken
sparingly, and desired that he should be brought into the open air as
often as the debility of his constitution could bear it. His complaint,
he said, was altogether a nervous one, and resulted from the effects
of cruelty, terror, want of sufficient nourishment, bad air, and close
confinement.
In the meantime, the doctor was committed to prison, and had the
pleasure of being sent, under a safe escort, to the jail of the county
that had been so
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