"you have been wandeeing." 351 



thought her cracked ; and I verily believe all this confounded 



business has turned your head, my dear girl ; and that you will 



be in a raging fever to-morrow morning." 



" Oh, Charles, pray spare me — I will never vex him again." 

 " That's right, my dear. Keep to that resolution, and all 



will be well ; and now, give Beauchamp his glass of brandy-and- 



water, and make him eat a biscuit also." 



CHAPTER XLIII. 



Malcolm's anticipations were realised about his cousin, who 

 was in a burning fever all night ; and towards morning, be- 

 coming delirious, the family physician was sent for by Mrs. 

 Gordon, who, with Constance, remained by her bedside, listen- 

 ing with tearful eyes to her ravings about her lover. Mrs. 

 Gordon explained to the doctor what had occurred, as far as 

 she deemed necessary, who prescribed the usual remedies in 

 such cases, desiring she might be kept perfectly quiet, and no 

 other person admitted to her room. 



" But stay, my dear madam," as he was leaving ; " if she 

 should particularly desire to see Lord Beauchamp on regaining 

 consciousness, let him be sent for directly, as his presence will 

 «go far to allay this feverish excitement." 



After taking the medicine, Blanche fell into a fitful doze for 

 two hours, from which, awaking with a sudden start, she 

 exclaimed — 



" Oh, aunt, he is gone — gone for ever ; I sent him away 

 never to return/' 



" No, my love, he is not gone ; you have been wandering ; 

 he is still here, in this house." 



" Oh, no, dear aunt ; do not deceive me. I know he is 



gone." 



" Then, my dear, promise to be calm and not speak, and you 

 shall see him directly. Constance, will you call your brother 1 " 



In a few seconds, Beauchamp was kneeling by her bedside, 

 with her hand in his. 



"You will not leave me, dear William," she murmured, "as 

 you said you would ; oh, promise me not to go." 



" On my word of honour, my own dearest girl, I will never 

 leave you more; but you must not talk now; so try to com- 



