ABSTRACT
When they arrived at the gate, that worthy man went out to meet them with his accustomed hospitality: he welcomed the doctor, but with a chastised pleasure, and so visible a discomposure of countenance as greatly alarmed both him and Ned. ‘Has any thing happened?’ said the doctor; ‘and how is my unfortunate patient?’ ‘She is alive,’ said Evans, ‘but, I fear, fast approaching to her dissolution.’ e doctor said no more, but went up immediately to her chamber; whilst Ned, with an aching heart and trembling steps, followed his father into the parlour. ‘What,’ said he, ‘my dear Sir (a er sitting a little while), ‘what new symptom has arisen since I went away, that makes you despair of the poor lady’s recovery?’ ‘Alas, my child!’ said he, ‘she is, I fear, past all recovery. God is going to take her to himself, and/ to reward her su erings in a better world. I have seen her,’ continued he – ‘seen her lie all senseless and forlorn, wholly unconscious even of existence; she has been in this state the whole day, and could not be roused to the smallest sensibility even for a moment. I am glad the doctor is come; for though I have no hope that his skill can avail any thing, yet it will be a consolation to have him in the house, and I do not mean to let him go till all is over.’
