The chambermaid obeyed his orders, and he continued--'Why did not you go to bed, child?'--'It did not become me to leave you'--'How so?' 'I hope I know my duty better'--'Your duty!'--'Yes, Sir'--'You seem to be an extraordinary boy; you act with great spirit, and talk with more good sense than I should expect from your poverty and education'--'So I ought to do, Sir; though I am desolate, I have been brought up better than most poor boys'--'Ay indeed!' The apothecary entered, and, after having paid all necessary attention to his patient, informed him of the state in which he had found me; talked of my wounds and bruises, and the cruelty of the man that could inflict them; repeated several of the anecdotes of his tyranny, which I had told him, and concluded with remarks on my good fortune, in having found so kind a protector. 'The boy has saved my life,' said my grandfather, 'and he shall not want a friend.' 'Are you quite sure of that, Sir?' answered I, with emphatical anxiety. 'Never, while I live,' replied the rector. 'Nay, but are you quite quite positive?' 'Do you doubt my word, boy?'--'That is very wrong of you indeed, child,' said the apothecary.--A thought suddenly struck me. If he would but take an oath, said I to myself? The oath, the oath! that was what I dreaded! An opposite oath seemed to be my only safe-guard. I continued--'I swear, Sir, while I have life never to forsake you, but to be dutiful and true to you'--'Swear boy?'--'Yes, Sir, most solemnly.'--I spoke with great fervor--'You are an unaccountable boy'--'Oh that _you_ would never forsake _me_'--'I tell you I will not'--'Oh that you never would!'--'Won't you believe me?'--'Oh that you never never would!'--'The boy I believe wants me to swear too'--'Ay; do, Sir; take an oath not to disown me; and indeed indeed I'll die willingly to deserve your favour'--'Disown you'--'Nay, Sir, but take an oath. You say I saved your life; I would lay down my own again and again to save it. Do not deny me, do not turn me to starve, or send me back to be murdered by my barbarous master'--'I tell you I will not'--'Nay but'--'Well then I swear, boy, I will not'--'Do you indeed duly and truly swear?'--'Solemnly, boy! I take heaven to witness that, if you are not guilty of something very wicked, while I live I will provide for you.'--I fell on my knees, caught hold of his hand, burst into tears, and exclaimed with sobs--'God in heaven bless my dear dear good grandfather! He has forgiven me! He has forgiven me!' 'Grandfather?' 'I am Hugh Trevor.'