nto occasional
snatches of music, once a common habit, but in which he had not been
known to indulge for a long time.

CHAPTER XLII.

O, you kind gods,
Cure this great breach in his abused nature!
The untuned and jarring senses O, wind up!

KING LEAR.

As soon as they reached the house of Armstrong, Dr. Elmer was sent
for, and to him Holden communicated the events of the morning, not
concealing his own relationship. This last particular was a case not
provided for in the books, or coming within the scope of the good
doctor's practice. Contenting himself, therefore, with ejaculating,

"Is this the lord Talbot, Uncle Gloster,
That hath so long been resident in France?"

he shook Holden by the hand as an evidence of welcome, and, without
hesitation, assented to the propriety of the Solitary's suggestion,
that the insanity of Armstrong and his attempted violence, should
be kept secret. Rest was prescribed by the doctor for Faith, whom,
contrary to her inclinations, he compelled to retire to her chamber,
whither he sent a composing draught, with assurances that her father
was doing well, which declaration, probably, had quite as much effect
in inducing the slumbers that succeeded, as the anodyne. He next
turned his attention to her father.

No one, without particular observation, would have remarked any change
in him. Upon returning home, he had quietly entered the parlor and sat
down in a large arm-chair, which was a favorite seat, looking first
around with a grave and pleased expression. His daughter was with him
then, who, indeed, until the arrival of the physician, had remained by
his side, and nothing seemed to please Armstrong so much as retaining
her hand in one of his, to pass the other over her silken hair, and
let it slide down over the pale cheeks, all the time gazing at her
with an appearance of infinite affection. But when the doctor felt his
pulse, he found it bounding like a frightened steed; and this symptom,
together with the heightened crimson of the cheeks, and deepening
blackness of the eyes, but too plainly revealed the access of violent
fever. Bleeding was in vogue in those days, and much practised, and
the skill of Elmer could suggest nothing better for the pressure
of blood on the brain, than letting blood. Having had, therefore,
Armstrong conducted to his chamber, he opened a vein, and bleeding him
till he fainted, he afterwards administered the medicines he though