314 F.PISQDK FROM AN U54PUHL1SHED NOVEL. 



state of human wretchedness could exceed mine. Medical aid was 

 immediately called in for Lady Elizabeth, and she was ordered to 

 bed. Her state was dangerous a violent fever soon made itself ap- 

 parent and the physician who attended her, urgently insisted that a 

 messenger should be instantly despatched, and two of the most emi- 

 nent men the faculty contained, brought from Edinburgh. Inordi- 

 nate passions, when they meet, contribute to counteract, or allay each 

 other. The life of that dearest of all human beings, to whom every 

 other human object on earth had so lately appeared but as secondary, 

 was in danger. Revenge could sleep awhile, but Lady Elizabeth 

 must receive immediate aid, or perish. 



I need not have it twice suggested to me, by the duke, that the 

 best way would be for me, accompanied by two of his grooms, to ride 

 in person to Edinburgh, as my diligence would certainly exceed that 

 of any other messenger. His Grace kindly furnished horses, such as 

 could not elsewhere, in those parts, have been obtained. In the pre- 

 sent perturbed state of my mind, rest was not thought of fatigue 

 not felt. I performed my journey in a state of frenzy, that occasioned 

 the physicians to fear almost as much for myself, as for the patient to 

 whom they were called. My incoherent ravings and distraction were 

 so incessant, and so intense, they had just cause to fear. I, too, fell 

 ill of a raging fever ; during which, the distress and tumult of my 

 thoughts, and their vengeful tendency, were, without ceasing, though 

 incoherently, developed. 



The Duke, by the advice of the physicians, had humanely caused 

 Lady Elizabeth to be removed in a litter to his own seat ; and there, 

 for several weeks, we both lay at first, with the most imminent 

 danger of death. Youth, and medical skill, repelled the violence of 

 the fever; but, in our case, these excellent succours were insufficient: 

 a perturbed mind appeared to be an invincible enemy. 



The Duke was truly a compassionate gentleman one who well 

 deserved the noble rank he held and could not behold two young 

 persons, whose hopes were lately so high, lying in this state of 

 wretchedness, without using every endeavour to afford them relief. 

 He saw the present temper of my mind : should I recover, revenge, 

 guilt, and horror, were likely to be the result. He found it was the 

 mortal dread of these that preyed upon Lady Elizabeth ; nor could 

 he perceive how such consequences were to be averted. 



In this dilemma, he sent for a friend, in whom he placed the 

 utmost confidence, and whose heart and understanding were equally 

 above the common order. This was the Reverend Alexander Gor- 

 don, on whom the Duke had bestowed preferment equal to his 

 wishes, and who, from principle and gratitude, was wholly devoted 

 to the house of Argyle. 



Could I, after so many years, recollect the details of all that 

 passed, to recount it would be tedious, and unnecessary. It will be 

 sufficient to say, that this worthy divine proceeded cautiously. He 

 began by making his respectable character well understood ; and by 

 convincing me that he held all dishonourable proceedings in no less 

 abhorrence than I did ; that the principles he taught were neither 

 vitiated by the fanaticism of a sectary, nor the common prejudices of 



