[The Danvers Jewels, and Sir Charles Danvers by Mary Cholmondeley]@TWC D-Link bookThe Danvers Jewels, and Sir Charles Danvers CHAPTER XXVIII 11/19
"Wanted elsewhere.
Very good of you, I'm sure.
Not much use, I'm afraid. Good-night.
I'll tell the old woman to be about." A dim lamp was burning on the little corner cupboard near the door, and, as Charles bent over the bed, he saw in a moment, even by that pale light, that he was too late. Life was still there, if that feeble tossing could be called life; but all else was gone.
Raymond's feet were already on the boundary of the land where all things are forgotten; and, at the sight of that dim country, memory, affrighted, had slipped away and left him. Was it possible to recall him to himself even yet? "Raymond," he said, in a low distinct voice, "what is it you wish to say? Tell me quickly what it is." But the long agony of farewell between body and soul had begun, and the eyes that seemed to meet his with momentary recognition only looked at him in anguish, seeking help and finding none, and wandered away again, vainly searching for that which was not to be found. Charles could do nothing, but he had not the heart to leave him to struggle with death entirely alone, and so, in awed and helpless compassion, he sat by him through one long hour after another, waiting for the end which still delayed, his eyes wandering ever and anon from the bed to the high grated window, or idly spelling out the different names and disparaging remarks that previous occupants had scratched and scrawled over the whitewashed walls. And so the hours passed. At last, all in a moment, the struggle ceased.
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