he dried her tears, and in grateful and fervid
terms expressed the deep obligations she owed him for his generous and!
persevering exertions in seeking out and restoring her son.
This sleep was a long one; and proved very beneficial, by somewhat
recruiting the little strength that had been left him. The stranger had
every measure taken that could contribute to his comfort and recovery.
Two nurse tenders were procured, to whose care he was committed,
under the general superintendence of Dandy Dulcimer, whom he at once
recognized, and by whose performance upon that instrument the poor young
man seemed not only much-pleased, but improved in confidence and the
general powers of his intellect. The physician saw him twice a day, so
that at the period of Lady Gourlay's visit, she found that every care
and attention, which consideration and kindness, and anxiety for his
recovery could bestow upon him, had been paid; a fact that eased and
satisfied her mind very much.
One rather gratifying symptom appeared in him after he awoke on that
occasion. He looked about the room, and inquired for Dulcimer, who soon
made his appearance.
"Dandy," said he, for he had known him very well in Ballytrain, "will
you be angry with me if I ask you a question? Dandy, I am a gentleman,
and you will not treat me ill."
"I would be glad to see the villain that 'ud dare to do it, Mr. Fenton,"
replied Dandy, a good deal moved, "much less to do it myself."
"Ah," he replied in a tone of voice that was enough to draw tears from
any eye, "but, then, I can depend on no one; and if they should bring me
back there--" His eyes became wild and full of horror, as he spoke,
and he was about to betray symptoms of strong agitation, when Dandy
judiciously brought him back to the point.
"They won't, Mr. Fenton; don't be afeared of that; you are among friends
now; but what was the question you were goin' to ask me?"
"A question!--was I?" said he, pausing, as if striving to recover the
train of thought he had lost. "Oh, yes," he proceeded, "yes; there was
a pound note taken from me. I got it from the strange gentleman in the
inn, and I wish I had it."
"Well, sir," replied Dandy, "if it can be got at all, you must have it.
I'll inquire for it."
"Do," he said; "I wish to have it." Dandy, in reply to the stranger's
frequent and anxious inquiries about him, mentioned this little
dialogue, and the latter at once recollected that he had the note in his
poss
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