His horses were ordered immediately after the meal, as he had an
appointment in London, and he presently looked up, and said,

"Madam, you must excuse me, I was silent from thinking how I can
adequately express my respect and gratitude for you."

"I beg your pardon, sir," exclaimed Aurelia, thinking her ears
mistaken.

"My gratitude," he repeated, "for the inestimable blessing you have
been to my dear and much valued friend, in rousing him from that
wretched state of despondency in which no one could approach him."

"You are too good, sir," returned Aurelia. "It was he who sent for
me."

"I know you did it in all simplicity, my dear child--forgive the
epithet, I have daughters of my own, and thankful should I be if
one of them could have produced such effects. I tell you, madam,
my dear friend, one of the most estimable and brilliant men of his
day, was an utter wreck, both in mind and body, through the cruel
machinations of an unprincipled woman. How much was to the
actual injury from his wound, how much to grief and remorse, Heaven
only knows, but the death of his brother, who alone had authority
with him, left him thus to cut himself off entirely in this utter
darkness and despair. I called at first monthly, then yearly, after
the melancholy catastrophe, and held many consultations with good
Mr. Wayland, but all in vain. It was reserved for your sweet notes
to awaken and recall him to what I trust is indeed new life."