'
EURIPIDES--(Anstice).
Still all was not over, for by the next day our brother was as ill,
or worse, than ever. The doctor who came from London allowed that
he had expected something of the kind, but thought we must have let
him exert himself perilously. Poor innocent Martyn and Anne, they
little suspected that their bright eyes and happy voices had
something to do with the struggle and disappointment, which probably
was one cause of the collapse. As to poor Frank Fordyce, I never
saw him so distressed; he felt as if it were all his own fault, or
that of his ancestors, and, whenever he was not required by his
duties, was lingering about for news. I had little hope, though
Clarence seemed to me the very light of my eyes; it was to me as
though, his task being accomplished, and the earthly reward denied,
he must be on his way to the higher one.
His complete quiescence confirmed me in the assurance that he
thought so himself. He was too ill for speech, but Lawrence, who
could not stay away, was struck with the difference from former
times. Not only were there no delusions, but there was no anxiety
or uneasiness, as there had always been in the former attacks, when
he was evidently eager to live, and still more solicitous to be told
if he were in a hopeless state. Now he had plainly resigned himself
-
'Content to live, but not afraid to die;'
and perhaps, dear fellow, it was chiefly for my sake that he was
willing to live.
Pages:
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397