"What's that?" he shouted; "not whisk--That you, Saul boy. Come here-- come--" He stopped short, uttered a furious oath, and made a bound to set himself free, but sank back inert and lay staring in a ghastly manner at the ceiling. The doctor laid his hand upon his patient's heart, felt his pulse, and then bent down over him anxiously. "Here," he said quickly, "where is that prescription, Mr Saul?" "The prescription, sir? Here," was the reply; and Saul took it from his breast-pocket. Doctor Lawrence glanced at it quickly, and seemed satisfied, but turned to his patient again, as if the effects of his dose made him uneasy. "He'll be better soon, Gertrude, dear," whispered Mrs Hampton, as she drew her away to the embayed window, and stood with her half hidden by the curtains, but with Saul Harrington's eyes watching them keenly. "Don't be alarmed, my dear, at the violence of the attack." "I am not alarmed," said Gertrude slowly, and in a deep, sad voice, "and I am not deceived, Mrs Hampton." "What do you mean, my dear?" "That I never saw any one behave like that before. Mrs Hampton, dear, I am not the child you think me. Do you suppose I do not know that this is the effect of drink?" There was a dead silence for a few moments, broken only by the stertorous breathing of the man upon the couch. "I wished to spare you pain, my poor darling," said Mrs Hampton affectionately, as she drew the weeping girl to her breast. "But you see now it is impossible for you to wed this man. Gertrude, my child, you must come home with me, and give up all thoughts of poor old Mr Harrington's wishes. Do you understand?" "Yes." "And you will not be tempted by the money to sacrifice yourself like this." "No," said Gertrude gently. "No money would tempt me, but it was my poor guardian's great wish that I should be the wife of the boy he worshipped." "But, my--" "Hush, Mrs Hampton. He was not always like this, but generous, chivalrous, and true. Mrs Hampton, I can see my duty here. It will be no sacrifice, but a labour of love." "What? You will not stay here?" "Yes, and will be his wife." "What? You love him, then?" "No, I think not yet; but I shall bring him patiently back to that which he was when he used to help my poor guardian--win him back to a truer life." "Gertrude?" "If I can do that, I shall fulfil the wishes of the dead." "Rachel, take Miss Gertrude away. Hampton, Mr Saul, I must have more help here," said the doctor in a low, stern voice, as he bent over the man upon the couch, and then in a hoarse, excited whisper he exclaimed: "Good God! He's dying!" CHAPTER FOURTEEN. DOCTORS AGREE. The anxiety was terrible for a short time, during which the sick man seemed to be suffering from acute spasms, which made his limbs contract, and drew the muscles of his features in a way that was painful to behold.