s at the bedside, and then feeling
that there was a sign of perspiration, he obeyed the injunctions of the
surgeon, and held on the clothes, against all Edward's endeavours to
throw them off. For a short time the perspiration was profuse, and the
restlessness of Edward subsided into a deep slumber.

"Thank Heaven! There are then hopes."

"Did you say there were hopes?" repeated a voice behind him.

Humphrey turned, and perceived Patience and Clara behind him, who had
come in without his observing it.

"Yes," replied Humphrey, looking reproachfully at Patience, "there are
hopes, by what the surgeon said to me--hopes that he may yet be able to
quit this house, which he was so unfortunate as to enter."

This was a harsh and rude speech of Humphrey's; but he considered that
Patience Heatherstone had been the cause of his brother's dangerous
state, and that she had not behaved well to him.

Patience made no reply, but falling down on her knees by the bedside,
prayed silently; and Humphrey's heart smote him for what he had said to
her. "She cannot be so bad," thought Humphrey, as Patience and Clara
quitted the room without the least noise.

Shortly afterwards the Intendant came up into the room, and offered his
hand to Humphrey, who pretended not to see it, and did not take it.

"He has got Arnwood; that is enough for him," thought Humphrey; "but my
hand in friendship he shall not receive."

The Intendant put his hand within the clothes, and feeling the high
perspiration in which Edward was in, said--

"I thank thee, O God! For all Thy mercies, and that Thou hast been
pleased to spare this valuable life."

"How are your sisters, Master Humphrey?" said the Intendant; "my
daughter bade me inquire. I will send over to them and let them know
that your brother is better, if you do not leave this for the cottage
yourself after the surgeon has called again."

"My sisters are no longer at the cottage, Mr Heatherstone," replied
Humphrey; "they have gone to some friends who have taken charge of them.
I saw them safe to London myself, or I should have known of my
brother's illness and have been here before this."

"You indeed tell me news, Master Humphrey," replied the Intendant.
"With whom, may I ask, are your sisters placed, and in what capacity are
they gone?"

This reply of the Intendant's reminded Humphrey that he had somewhat
committed himself, as being supposed to be the daughters of a forester,
it was not t