I retired as directed.

"Was anybody stirring below when you went down, Jane?" inquired Mr.

Rochester presently.

"No, sir; all was very still."

"We shall get you off cannily, Dick: and it will be better, both

for your sake, and for that of the poor creature in yonder. I have

striven long to avoid exposure, and I should not like it to come at

last. Here, Carter, help him on with his waist-coat. Where did you

leave your furred cloak? You can't travel a mile without that, I

know, in this damned cold climate. In your room?--Jane, run down to

Mr. Mason's room,--the one next mine,--and fetch a cloak you will

see there."

Again I ran, and again returned, bearing an immense mantle lined and

edged with fur.

"Now, I've another errand for you," said my untiring master; "you

must away to my room again. What a mercy you are shod with velvet,

Jane!--a clod-hopping messenger would never do at this juncture.

You must open the middle drawer of my toilet-table and take out a

little phial and a little glass you will find there,--quick!"

I flew thither and back, bringing the desired vessels.

"That's well! Now, doctor, I shall take the liberty of

administering a dose myself, on my own responsibility. I got this

cordial at Rome, of an Italian charlatan--a fellow you would have

kicked, Carter. It is not a thing to be used indiscriminately, but

it is good upon occasion: as now, for instance. Jane, a little

water."

He held out the tiny glass, and I half filled it from the water-

bottle on the washstand.

"That will do;--now wet the lip of the phial."

I did so; he measured twelve drops of a crimson liquid, and

presented it to Mason.

"Drink, Richard: it will give you the heart you lack, for an hour

or so."

"But will it hurt me?--is it inflammatory?"

"Drink! drink! drink!"

Mr. Mason obeyed, because it was evidently useless to resist. He

was dressed now: he still looked pale, but he was no longer gory

and sullied. Mr. Rochester let him sit three minutes after he had

swallowed the liquid; he then took his arm "Now I am sure you can get on your feet," he said--"try."

The patient rose.

"Carter, take him under the other shoulder. Be of good cheer,

Richard; step out--that's it!"

"I do feel better," remarked Mr. Mason.

"I am sure you do. Now, Jane, trip on before us away to the

backstairs; unbolt the side-passage door, and tell the driver of the

post-chaise you will see in the yard--or just outside, for I told

him not to drive his rattling wheels over the pavement--to be ready;

we are coming: and, Jane, if any one is about, come to the foot of

the stairs and hem."




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