Page:Lady Anne Granard 2.pdf/280

278 would they have an experienced nurse? if they relied on themselves, she might be lost, for their love could not supply skill." The turmoil of thought continued for several hours, throwing him back on many a heart-rending scene of death and sorrow—of remorse, penitence, and tenderness, producing bitter grief, and burning fever, which towards morning resolved itself into an attack of gout so violent, that every one was aroused save the aged visitant, and fears for the distant merged in alarm for the present sufferer. Medical aid was speedily procured, and one who well understood the constitution of the earl took up his abode in the sick chamber, anxious to fix the invading enemy in the limbs, which was now threatening the stomach. In the general confusion, no one thought of the letters, save Georgiana, who dearly loved her uncle, and was tremblingly alive to his situation, but at the same time extremely anxious on her mother's account. She was not disappointed; a short letter from Helen informed her that the doctor said the dangerous part of her mamma's disorder was, assuredly, subsiding, but that her pain seemed to increase, or at least she complained of it more. She mentioned having an excellent nurse, and two medical men of the highest reputation. When the cessation of severe suffering allowed this letter to be read to Lord Rotheles, it evidently relieved his mind exceedingly, and the same influence