"Boy," she said, "do you know what you are promising--to assume the
whole burden of the support of a useless woman for her whole life?
What would your mother or your promised wife say to such a
proposition?"
"Ah! you do not know my dear mother nor my Clara--no, nor even me. I
tell you the truth when I say that your coming among us would make
us happier. Oh. Madam, I myself owe so much to the Lord and to His
instruments, the benevolent of this world, for all that has been
done for me. I seize with gratitude the chance to serve in my turn
any of His suffering children. Pray believe me!"
"I do! I do, Doctor Rocke! I see that life has not deprived you of a
generous, youthful enthusiasm," said the lady, with the tears
welling up into her glorious black eyes.
After a little, with a smile, she held out her hand to him, saying:
"Young friend, if you should succeed in freeing me from this prison
and establishing my sanity before a court of justice, I and my
daughter will come into the immediate possession of one of the
largest estates in your native Virginia! Sit you down, Doctor Rocke,
while I tell you my true story, and much, very much more of it than
I have ever confided to any human being."
"Lady, I am very impatient to hear your history, but I am your
physician, and must first consider your health. You have been
sufficently excited for one day; it is late; take your tea and
retire early to bed.
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