The observant physician could, after this paroxysm, remark that his
patient's mind was chiefly occupied in computing the passage of the
time, and anticipating the period when the return of her husband--if
husband he was--might be expected. She consulted almanacks, enquired
concerning distances, though so cautiously as to make it evident she
desired to give no indication of the direction of her companion's
journey, and repeatedly compared, her watch with those of others;
exercising, it was evident, all that delusive species of mental
arithmetic by which mortals attempt to accelerate the passage of Time
while they calculate his progress. At other times she wept anew over her
child, which was by all judges pronounced as goodly an infant as needed
to be seen; and Gray sometimes observed that she murmured sentences
to the unconscious infant, not only the words, but the very sound and
accents of which were strange to him, and which, in particular, he knew
not to be Portuguese.
Mr. Goodriche, the Catholic priest, demanded access to her upon one
occasion. She at first declined his visit, but afterwards received it,
under the idea, perhaps, that he might have news from Mr. Middlemas, as
he called himself. The interview was a very short one, and the priest
left the lady's apartment in displeasure, which his prudence could
scarce disguise from Mr. Gray. He never returned, although the lady's
condition would have made his attentions and consolations necessary, had
she been a member of the Catholic Church.
Our Doctor began at length to suspect his fair guest was a Jewess, who
had yielded up her person and affections to one of a different religion;
and the peculiar style of her beautiful countenance went to enforce this
opinion. The circumstance made no difference to Gray, who saw only her
distress and desolation, and endeavoured to remedy both to the utmost
of his power. He was, however, desirous to conceal it from his wife,
and the others around the sick person, whose prudence and liberality
of thinking might be more justly doubted. He therefore so regulated her
diet, that she could not be either offended, or brought under suspicion,
by any of the articles forbidden by the Mosaic law being presented to
her. In other respects than what concerned her health or convenience, he
had but little intercourse with her.
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account