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Chapter 22
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✦ 180 ✦ journey, but that he must instantly speak to the person who was in his room, as he knew that he was pressed for time. Emily immediately rose from the table, before which she was sitting—“I have, you see, performed my promise,” said she, casting a look of pity on Belmour; “and now let our farewell be brief,”—her voice faltered—“Again I thank you,” continued she, holding out her trembling hand to him, “for this touching mark of your affection, I now have a least one heartfelt consolation in the remembrance of our faultless character .”—Belmour gently pressed her hand to his clay-cold lips, but spoke not.—“Farewell,” she mournfully repeated, as he stood motionless before her—“farewell,”—then waving her hand, she left the room. Belmour for a time remained fixed to the same spot where he had stood—then fearing Mr. Courtenay might return, and sensible that he ought by all means avoid being seen by him in the state of agony and disorder, in which he felt himself, left the room, hurried downstairs, and after casting a last melancholy look towards the Abbey, threw himself into his chaise, which stood waiting at the gate, and stopped not till he came to London. Chapter 22 arrived in town, as he alighted at his door, Belmour was by chance met by Dr. Seward, who, begging pardon for his intrusion , followed him into his house.—“You must excuse me, my dear lord,” said he, “but I cannot resist this opportunity of just inquiring after you, it is such an age since I have seen you, and,” taking his hand, “you will, I am sure, forgive me.”—Bel- ✦ 181 ✦ mour, as he looked at him, felt his eyes filled with tears, the first he had shed since he left Emily.—Dr. Seward had been the favourite and confidential physician of his father, was the person sent for from London to attend him during his last illness , and had again returned to Belmour Castle just before his death, since which period, Belmour and he now met for the first time.—“You are kind,” said Belmour, returning his salute to him, “I am very well, I thank you.” “I fear otherwise,” replied Dr. Seward, looking steadfastly at him, and still holding his hand.—“Come, come, my dearest lord, you shall not thus escape from an old friend, but sit down, I entreat it of you, in this parlour.”—Belmour allowed himself to be led into the parlour, where he was scarcely seated, but he fell back senseless in his chair.—Dr. Seward calling for the immediate assistance of his servants, saw him carried to his bed.—Here he remained in an almost hopeless state for nearly three weeks, a raging fever, accompanied by delirium, having manifested itself immediately after he was put to bed, and but too well justified the physician’s apprehensions.—Dr. Seward giving up almost all other attendance, scarcely quitted Belmour’s room, or even his bedside, during this long period of imminent danger , for such it was; judging it absolutely necessary, that every turn of the disorder should be watched with the most minute exactness and feeling, and that if others surpassed him in skill, none could rival him in his sincere and anxious wishes for the welfare of his patient, so that he took the whole responsibility on himself. On the first return of reason and recollection, Belmour expressed much uneasiness at what he might in his delirium have uttered.—He feared, for the sake of Emily, lest the secret of his heart should have been revealed!—“Rest secure, my dear lord,” said Dr. Seward, immediately comprehending his meaning, “I have myself constantly attended you, and you have not, on my honour, uttered a single expression, that even [54.162.124.193] Project MUSE (2024-03-29 05:48 GMT) ✦ 182 ✦ an indifferent person might not have heard.—You frequently, it is true, in your delirium, called on some beloved object, whom you even at times thought present, but named her not.” “I thank you,” said Belmour, raising his languid eyes towards his friend, “this was indeed kind, and since you have watched me, I care not what I may have said.”—The doctor then fearing greater exertion might, in his weak state, fatigue him, forbade any further conversation. The next morning, perceiving him considerably refreshed by the rest, which, during the foregoing night, he had been able to take, the doctor ventured to give...