Page:Edgar Huntly, or The Sleep Walker.djvu/232

 you apprized of my condition? These things are not less wonderful than any of those which I have already related."

During my tale the features of Sarsefield betokened the deepest attention: his eye strayed not a moment from my face. All my perils and forebodings were fresh in my remembrance—they had scarcely gone by—their skirts, so to speak, were still visible. No wonder that my eloquence was vivid and pathetic—that I portrayed the past as if it were the present scene, and that not my tongue only, but every muscle and limb spoke."

When I had finished my relation, Sarsefield sunk into thoughtfulness: from this, after a time, he recovered, and said, "Your tale, Huntly, is true; yet, did I not see you before me—were I not acquainted with the artlessness and rectitude of your character—and, above all, had not my own experience during the last three days confirmed every incident—I should question its truth. You have amply gratified my curiosity, and deserve that your own should be gratified as fully. Listen to me.

"Much has happened since we parted, which shall not be now mentioned. I promised to inform you of my welfare by letter, and did not fail to write; but whether my letters were received, or any were written by you in return, or if written were ever transmitted, I cannot tell; none were ever received.

Some days since I arrived, in company with a lady who is my wife, in America. You have never been forgotten by me: I knew your situation to be little in agreement with your wishes; and one of the benefits which fortune has lately conferred upon me, is the power of snatching you from a life of labour and obscurity, whose goods, scanty as they are, are transient and precarious; and affording you the suitable leisure and means of intellectual gratification and improvement.

"Your silence made me entertain some doubts concerning your welfare, and even your existence: to solve these doubts, I hastened to Solebury. Some delays upon the road hindered me from accomplishing my journey by daylight: it was night before I entered the Norwalk path;