Aristocracy (Social class) -- England -- Juvenile fiction; Great Britain -- History -- Anne, 1702-1714 -- Juvenile fiction
Grey lay back upon his pillows breathless with wonder and excitement;
but it was excitement of that joyful kind which acts rather as a tonic
upon the system than as a deterrent to recovery. He sent Dick away to
make inquiries about the Old Lion; and as the man went out, the Duke’s
physician entered and examined the wound upon Grey’s head and the
condition of the broken arm, which he had skilfully set, and ended by
permitting his patient, after other two hours of quiet rest, to leave
his bed for a few hours to sit in the adjoining room for a while under
the care of his servant.
"Had you been like too many of our young gallants, full-blooded, heated
with wine, softened by gluttony and rich living, these injuries might
have involved blood-letting and other severe remedies. But your
temperate life and meagre living of late tell in your favour now. You
need heartening up and strengthening by good food and a little old wine
carefully administered, and you will soon cease to feel any ill effects.
I congratulate you heartily on the occasion which has brought you once
again into the notice of the Duke, who can be a stanch and true friend,
as I have reason to know."
When Dick returned to him he was laden with fine clothing, such as Grey
had been wont to wear, and which the man spread out with an air of pride
and delight that was good to see.
"See there! The Duke’s own clothes—those he wore some few years since,
when he was something slimmer than now. He bade his man look them out
for you, seeing that your own garments were all torn and
mud-bespattered—"
"Ay, and of fustian, in lieu of cloth, and silk, and velvet," added
Grey, as he looked smilingly at the rich clothing before him. "Well,
well, Dicon, when one comes suddenly into the midst of an enchanted
palace, one must take the good the gods provide. But tell me of Mr.
Wylde. Have you learned aught concerning him?"
"Why, truly yes. I saw the messenger who had been to him; and at the
sight of the Duke’s livery the whole house was astir, and not a creature
there but will wait hand and foot upon the old man till other
arrangements for him can be made. The fellow saw him and gave him news
of you, and he was right well content. He said he should lack for
nothing; and the man did leave with the host two gold pieces sent by his
Grace, and told him that he would have to answer to the Duke if aught
went amiss with him. After that you need have no fear."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account