bing of my
heart could have been perceived without touching my breast.

I remained on the mattress all day, and all the next night, with my face
buried in the clothes! I was too ill to raise my head. On Wednesday
morning I felt myself gently pushed on the shoulder by some one; I
opened my eyes; it was a clergyman. I turned away my head, and remained
as before. I was then in a violent fever. He spoke for some time:
occasionally I heard a word, and then relapsed into a state of mental
imbecility. He sighed, and went away.

Thursday came, and the hour of death,--but time was by me unheeded, as
well as eternity. In the meantime Maddox had been taken, and the contents
of Armstrong's bundle found in his possession; and when he discovered
that Ogle had been evidence against him, he confessed to the robbery.

Whether it was on Thursday or Friday, I knew not then, but I was lifted
off the bed, and taken before somebody--something passed, but the fever
had mounted up to my head, and I was in a state of stupid delirium.
Strange to say, they did not perceive my condition, but ascribed it all
to abject fear of death. I was led away--I had made no answer--but I was
free.

Chapter LXI

When at the lowest spoke of Fortune's wheel, one is sure to rise
as it turns round--I recover my senses and find myself amongst
_Friends._

I think some people shook me by the hand, and others shouted as I walked
in the open air, but I recollect no more. I afterwards was informed that
I had been reprieved, that I had been sent for, and a long exhortation
delivered to me, for it was considered that my life must have been one
of error, or I should have applied to my friends, and have given my
name. My not answering was attributed to shame and confusion--my
glassy eye had not been noticed--my tottering step when led in by the
gaolers attributed to other causes; and the magistrates shook their
heads as I was led out of their presence. The gaoler had asked me
several times where I intended to go. At last, I had told him, _to seek
my father,_ and darting away from him, I had run like a madman down the
street. Of course he had no longer any power over me: but he muttered,
as I fled from him, "I've a notion he'll soon be locked up again, poor
fellow! it's turned his brain for certain."

As I tottered along, my unsteady step naturally attracted the attention
of the passers-by; but they attributed it to intoxication. Thus was I
all