The Argosy . right thing without reflec-tion. Nevertheless, it is plain to see that all this trouble has verymuch thrown her off her balance. The hnes of her life are dis-turbed. They have hitherto run in calm and even places ; they arenow in revolution. There is a brooding look about her. She yieldsto the inevitable, but not without a protest. Why is this thus ? andwhy has she to bear this burden of sickness, through a mere acci- 140 Letters from Majorca. dent ? When she goes off in a morning to tell her beads, I wonderwhether she is quite as fervent as usual in her devotions ? For all that,


The Argosy . right thing without reflec-tion. Nevertheless, it is plain to see that all this trouble has verymuch thrown her off her balance. The hnes of her life are dis-turbed. They have hitherto run in calm and even places ; they arenow in revolution. There is a brooding look about her. She yieldsto the inevitable, but not without a protest. Why is this thus ? andwhy has she to bear this burden of sickness, through a mere acci- 140 Letters from Majorca. dent ? When she goes off in a morning to tell her beads, I wonderwhether she is quite as fervent as usual in her devotions ? For all that, if a barefooted pilgrimage would restore the sick, Ido not think she would hesitate to take it. I cannot tell you how the hours and the days have dragged theirslow lengths away. Sunday came to an end, and Dr. gloomyanticipations were not fulfilled. A. seemed to remain in much thesame condition. Serious and dangerous; but I would not admit itthat it was hopeless. The boat from Barcelona was due on Tuesday. Town Hall, Palma. morning at four oclock. Someone must meet it, and I undertookto do so. Anything to be in action. As the hours approached Icould not rest. One never knew what might happen from one hourto the other. It was a race with time ; it might be a race with death- On the Monday evening Mr. Bateman very kindly suggested thatI should go up to II Tereno and sleep there. From the roof of hishouse the boat could be seen approaching from the distance. Hisservants should watch, and when in sight there would be time to-dress, go into Palma, and reach the boat before it was alongside. Acarriage should be ordered to come up at a quarter to four. So it came to pass. After dinner we sat out upon the balcony,with all the scenes, effect, and influence I have described to you. Letters from Majorca, 141 Afar off we could see lights glimmering in the Consulate, and I feelsure that many a prayer went up to speed the approaching vessel,which we trusted was bearing light and healing u


Size: 1750px × 1428px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: ., bookauthorwoodhenr, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1860, bookyear1865