ttend to the wants of Matilda Nagle, suddenly
smitten down with fever while on the way to obey the imperious infelt
summons of the unseen Rawdon. Mr. Newberry was with her, having been
driven over by that strange mixture of humanity, Yankee Pawkins, and
Mrs. Tibbs was acting as the soul of kindness. The woman's case was a
remarkable combination of natural and mesmeric causes, but presented no
reason for serious apprehension. The doctor prescribed, and Pawkins
drove off at breakneck speed to get the prescription filled by the
medical student at his dispensary. Then, he and the minister returned to
the sobered and melancholy company at Bridesdale. "Resting, but hardly
breathing," was the bulletin that greeted them, when they enquired after
the solitary battler for life in the upper chamber. Yet he was not
alone; one sad stricken woman's heart was bound to that poor shadow of
former vital wealth forever.

CHAPTER XXI.

Matilda Free--The Constable Captured--The Thunderstorm--Rawdon
Found--The Lawyer Revives--Inquest--Mr. Pawkins
Again--Expeditions--Greek--Committee of the Whole--Miss Graves and
Mr. Douglas--Weddings--The Colonel, Wilkinson and Perrowne
Off--Arrival of Saul--Errol, Douglas and Coristine
Wedded--Festivities in Hall and Kitchen--Europe--Home--Two
Knapsacks--Envoi.

That was a dreary Monday afternoon inside Bridesdale, in spite of the
beautiful weather without, for the shadow of death fell heavy and black
on every heart. Those who had shared in the morning's merriment felt as
if they had been guilty of sacrilege. Even Mr. Rigby exhibited his share
in the general concern by being more than usually harsh towards his
prisoners. About four o'clock there was an incident that made a little
break in the monotony of waiting for the death warrant. Old Styles
arrived, to say that the crazy woman was no longer crazy. Half an hour
before she sat up in bed and cried "Free at last!" and since then,
though the fever was still on her, her mind was quite clear. Doctor
Halbert took a note of the time, and wondered what the sudden and
beneficial change meant. Mrs. Carmichael and Mr. Errol sympathized with
him, rejoicing for the poor woman's sake. The detective and Ben Toner
came home, very tired and disgusted with their want of success. When
night came, the dominie again offered to stay with his friend, and, in
his anxiety, even forced himself into the sick room. Miss Carmichael was