r
appeared to comprehend the fact quite; and, once or twice afterwards,
asked, why she did not come to see him? She was prevented, he
supposed--she was prevented, he said, with a look of terror: he never
once otherwise alluded to that unlucky tyrant of his household, who had
made his last years so unhappy.

The circumstance of Clive's legacy he never understood: but more than
once spoke of Barnes to Ethel, and sent his compliments to him, and
said he should like to shake him by the hand. Barnes Newcome never once
offered to touch that honoured hand, though his sister bore her uncle's
message to him. They came often from Bryanstone Square; Mrs. Hobson even
offered to sit with the Colonel, and read to him, and brought him books
for his improvement. But her presence disturbed him; he cared not for
her books; the two nurses whom he loved faithfully watched him; and my
wife and I were admitted to him sometimes, both of whom he honoured with
regard and recognition. As for F. B., in order to be near his Colonel,
did not that good fellow take up his lodging in Cistercian Lane, at the
Red Cow? He is one whose errors, let us hope, shall be pardoned, quia
multum amavit. I am sure he felt ten times more joy at hearing of
Clive's legacy, than if thousands had been bequeathed to himself. May
good health and good fortune speed him!

The days went on, and our hopes, raised sometimes, began to flicker and
fail. One evening the Colonel left his chair for his bed in pretty good
spirits, but passed a disturbed night, and the next morning was too weak
to rise. Then he remained in his bed, and his friends visited him
there. One afternoon he asked for his little gown-boy, and the child was
brought to him, and sate by the bed with a very awestricken face; and
then gathered courage, and tried to amuse him by telling him how it
was a half-holiday, and they were having a cricket-match with the St.
Peter's boys in the green, and Grey Friars was in and winning. The
Colonel quite understood about it; he would like to see the game; he
had played many a game on that green when he was a boy. He grew excited;
Clive dismissed his father's little friend, and put a sovereign into his
hand; and away he ran to say that Codd Colonel had come into a
fortune, and to buy tarts, and to see the match out. I, curre, little
white-haired gown-boy! Heaven speed you, little friend!

After the child had gone, Thomas Newcome began to wander more and more.
He talked lo