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repaired！ There is no remorse so deep as that which is unavailing；
if we would be spared its tortures； let us remember this； in time。
When he reached home； Mrs。 Maylie was sitting in the little
parlour。 Oliver’s heart sank at sight of her； for she had never left
the bedside of her niece； and he trembled to think what change
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could have driven her away。 He learned that she had fallen into a
deep sleep； from which she would waken； either to recovery and
life； or to bid them farewell； and die。
They sat； listening； and afraid to speak； for hours。 The untasted
meal was removed； and with looks which showed that their
thoughts were elsewhere； they watched the sun as he sank lower
and lower； and； at length； cast over sky and earth those brilliant
hues which herald his departure。 Their quick ears caught the
sound of an approaching footstep。 They both involuntarily darted
to the door； as Mr。 Losberne entered。
“What of Rose？” cried the old lady。 “Tell me at once！ I can bear
it； anything but suspense！ Oh； tell me！ in the name of Heaven！”
“You must compose yourself；” said the doctor； supporting her。
“Be calm； my dear ma’am； pray。”
“Let me go； in God’s name！ My dear child！ She is dead！ She is
dying！”
“No！” cried the doctor passionately。 “As He is good and
merciful； she will live to bless us all； for years to come。”
The lady fell upon her knees； and tried to fold her hands
together； but the energy which had supported her so long； fled up
to Heaven with her first thanksgiving； and she sank into the
friendly arms which were extended to receive her。
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Chapter 34
Contains Some Introductory Particulars Relative To
A Young Gentleman Who Now Arrives Upon The
Scene； And A New Adventure Which Happened To
Oliver。
It was almost too much happiness to bear。 Oliver felt stunned
and stupefied by the unexpected intelligence； he could not
weep； or speak； or rest。 He had scarcely the power of
understanding anything that had passed； until； after a long ramble
in the quiet evening air； a burst of tears came to his relief； and he
seemed to awaken all at once； to a full sense of the joyful change
that had occurred； and the almost insupportable load of anguish
which had been taken from his breast。
The night was fast closing in； when he returned homeward；
laden with flowers which he had culled； with peculiar care； for the
adornment of the sick chamber。 As he walked briskly along the
road he heard behind him； the noise of some vehicle； approaching
at a furious pace。 Looking round； he saw that it was a post…chaise；
driven at great speed； and as the horses were galloping； and the
road was narrow； he stood leaning against a gate until it should
have passed him。
As it dashed on； Oliver caught a glimpse of a man； in a white
night…cap； whose face seemed familiar to him； although his view
was so brief that he could not identify the person。 In another
second or two； the night…cap was thrust out of the chaise window；
and a stentorian voice bellowed to the driver to stop； which he did；
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as soon as he could pull up his horses。 Then； the night…cap once
again appeared； and the same voice called Oliver by his name。
“Here！” cried the voice。 “Oliver； what’s the news？ Miss Rose！
Master O…li…ver！”
“Is it you； Giles？” cried Oliver； running up to the chaise door。
Giles popped out his night…cap again； preparatory to making
some reply； when he was suddenly pulled back by a young
gentleman who occupied the other corner of the chaise； and who
eagerly demanded what was the news。 “In a word！” cried the
gentleman； “better or worse？”
“Better—much better！” replied Oliver hastily。
“Thank Heaven！” exclaimed the gentleman。 “You are sure？”
“Quite； sir；” replied Oliver。 “The change took place—only a few
hours ago； and Mr。 Losberne says that all danger is at an end。”
The gentleman did not say another word； but； opening the
chaise door； leaped out； and taking Oliver hurriedly by the arm；
led him aside。
“You are quite certain？ There is no possibility of any mistake
on your part； my boy； is there？” demanded the gentleman in a
tremulous voice。 “Do not deceive me； by awakening hopes that are
not to be fulfilled。”
“I would not for the world； sir；” replied Oliver。 “Indeed you may
believe me。 Mr。 Losberne’s words were； that she would live to
bless us all for many years to come。 I heard him say so。”
The tears stood in Oliver’s eyes as he recalled the scene which
was the beginning of so much happiness； and the gentleman
turned his face away； and remained silent； for some minutes。
Oliver thought he heard him sob； more than once； but he feared to
interrupt him by any fresh remark—for he could well guess what
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his feelings were—and so stood apart； feigning to be occupied with
his nosegay。
All this time； Mr。 Giles； with the white night…cap on； had been
sitting on the steps of the chaise； supporting an elbow on each
knee； and wiping his eyes with a blue cotton pocket…handkerchief
dotted with white spots。 That the honest fellow had not been
feigning emotion； was abundantly demonstrated by the very red
eyes with which he regarded the young gentleman； when he
turned round and addressed him。
“I think you had better go on to my mother’s in the chaise；
Giles；” said he。 “I would rather walk slowly on； so as to gain a little
time before I see her。 You can say I am coming。”
“I beg your pardon； Mr。 Harry；” said Giles； giving a final polish
to his ruffled countenance with the handkerchief； “but if you
would leave the postboy to say that； I should be very much obliged
to you。 It wouldn’t be proper for the maids to see me in this state；
sir； I should never have any more authority with them if they did。”
“Well；” rejoined Harry Maylie； smiling； “you can do as you like。
Let him go on with the luggage； if you wish it； and do you follow
with us。 Only first exchange that night…cap for some more
appropriate covering； or we shall be taken for madmen。”
Mr。 Giles； reminded of his unbecoming costume； snatched off
and pocketed his night…cap； and substituted a hat； of grave and
sober shape； which he took out of the chaise。 This done； the
postboy drove off； Giles； Mr。 Maylie； and Oliver； followed at their
leisure。
As they walked along； Oliver glanced from time to time with
much interest and curiosity at the newcomer。 He seemed about
five…and…twenty years of age； and was of the middle height； his
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countenance was frank and handsome； and his demeanour easy
and prepossessing。 Notwithstanding the difference between youth
and age； he bore so strong a likeness to the old lady； that Oliver
would have had no great difficulty in imagining their relationship；
if he had not already spoken of her as his moth