Uttering a few incoherent sentences to both
ladies he hurried out of the room.
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER XXXII.
THE OBDURACY OF VICE--THE INHUMANITY OF FOLLY.
The Count Sobieski was prevented paying his customary visit next
morning in Harley Street by a sudden dangerous increase of illness in
the general, who had been struck at seven o'clock by a fit of palsy.
When Dr. Cavendish beheld the poor old man stretched on the bed, and
hardly exhibiting signs of life, he pronounced it to be a death-
stroke. At this remark, Thaddeus, turning fearfully pale, staggered
to a seat, with his eyes fixed on the altered features of his friend.
Dr. Cavendish took his hand.
"Recollect yourself, my dear sir! Happen when it may, his death must
be a release to him. But he may yet linger a few days."
"Not in pain, I hope!" said Thaddeus.
"No," returned the doctor; "probably he will remain as you now see
him, till he expires like the last glimmer of a dying taper."
The benevolent Cavendish gave proper directions to Thaddeus, also to
Mrs. Robson, who promised to act carefully as nurse; and then with
regret left the stunned count to the melancholy task of watching by
the bedside of his last early friend.
Thaddeus now retained no thought that was not riveted to the
emaciated form before him. Whilst the unconscious invalid struggled
for respiration, he listened to his short and convulsed breathing
with sensations which seemed to tear the strings of his own breast.
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