ourselves, I was talking to him with imprudent earnestness, when he began
to tremble all over, and went into an hysterical paroxysm of mingled
tears and laughter. I wished to stop at the next station, but he was not
long recovering, and insisted on coming on. Still, as we approached
Fawley, after muttering to himself, as far as I could catch his words,
incoherently, he sank into a heavy state of lethargy or stupor, resting
his head on my shoulder. It was with difficulty I roused him when he
entered the park."

"Poor old man," said George feelingly; "no doubt the quick succession of
emotions through which he has lately passed has overcome him for the
time. But the worst is now passed. His interview with Darrell must
cheer his heart and soothe his spirits; and that interview over, we must
give him all repose and nursing. But tell me what passed between you--if
he was very indignant that I could not suffer men like you and my uncle
Alban and Guy Darrell to believe him a picklock and a thief."

Lionel began his narrative, but had not proceeded far in it before
Darrell's voice was heard shouting loud, and the library bell rang
violently.

They hurried into the library, and Lionel's fears were verified. Waife
was in strong convulsions; and as these gradually ceased, and he rested
without struggle, half on the floor, half in Darrell's arms, he was
evidently unconscious of all around him. His eye was open, but fixed in
a glassy stare. The servants thronged into the room; one was despatched
instantly to summon the nearest medical practitioner. "Help me--George--
Lionel," said Darrell, "to bear him up-stairs. Mills, light us." When
they reached the landing-place, Mills asked, "Which room, sir?" Darrell
hesitated an instant, then his grey eye lit into its dark fire. "My