the river, I believe that I fainted again; and so,
“between home and hell,” as the saying
is, I lay on my litter and was carried along the street
beside the water. Folk gathered around us as
we went. I heard their voices as in a dream,
when lo! there sounded a voice that I knew right well,
for Elliot was asking of the people “who was
hurt?” At this hearing I hove myself up on
my elbow, beckoning with my other hand; and I opened
my mouth to speak, but, in place of words, came only
a wave of blood that sickened me, and I seemed to
be dreaming, in my bed, of Elliot and her jackanapes;
and then feet were trampling, and at length I was
laid down, and so seemed to fall most blessedly asleep,
with a little hand in mine, and rarely peaceful and
happy in my heart, though wherefore I knew not.
After many days of tossing on the waves of the world,
it was as if I had been brought into the haven where
I would be. Of what was passing I knew or I
remember nothing. Later I heard that a good priest
had been brought to my bedside, and perchance there
was made some such confession as the Church, in her
mercy, accepts from sinful men in such case as mine.
But I had no thought of life or death, purgatory or
paradise; only, if paradise be rest among those we
love, such rest for an unknown while, and such sense
of blissful companionship, were mine. But whether
it was well to pass through and beyond this scarce
sensible joy, or whether that peace will ever again
be mine and unending, I leave with humility to them
in whose hands are Christian souls.
CHAPTER IX—OF THE WINNING OF ELLIOT
The days of fever and of dreams went by and passed,
leaving me very weak, but not ignorant of where I
was, and of what had come and gone. My master
had often been by my bedside, and Elliot now and again;
the old housewife also watched me by night, and gave
me drink when I thirsted. Most of the while I
deemed I was at home, in the house of Pitcullo; yet
I felt there was something strange, and that there
was pain somewhere in the room. But at length,
as was said, I came to knowledge of things, and could
see Elliot and remember her, when she knelt praying
by my bed, as oft she did, whiles I lay between life
and death. I have heard speak of men who, being
inflamed with love, as I had been, fell into a fever
of the body, and when that passed, lo! their passion
had passed with it, and their longing. And so
it seemed to be with me. For some days I was
not permitted to utter a word, and later, I was as
glad in Elliot’s company as you may have seen
a little lad and lass, not near come to full age,
who go playing together with flowers and such toys.
So we were merry together, the jackanapes keeping
us company, and making much game and sport.