Page:Life memoirs & pedigree of Thomas Hamilton Dickson.pdf/34

 she only could express herself in half-broken sighs, while in her eyes gleamed the frantic ravages of despair, which words could not comprehend. Her chest heaved violently at every respiration, which showed the anguish of a wounded heart and soul. At length she said, with disconsolate voice, "No hope is left for me in this bleak world: my only hope is fled, ah, never to return. The man on whom my fond and artless heart too much doated, sighed―I believed him true: he gained my heart, then, like the ruthless spoiler that strews the beauteous boquet to the scorching rays of summer heat, regardless of its fragrant sweets, so did my faithless lover gain what he wished, for one momentary enjoyment left me miserable, alas, for life!"

I placed her in a chair, a little distance from the fire, while the whole family surrounded her. All appeared, by their looks, to be deeply concerned for her fate; and the feelings of her mother can be better appreciated than described. The whole family were bathed in tears at her forlorn situation. The father, taking me aside, asked my opinion with regard to his daughter. I said her case was doubtful, if not dangerous. I told him, that, in my humble opinion, a medical man ought to be sent for: he said he would do as I advised. In about half an hour a messenger was dispatched to the nearest town or village for a physician. The messenger, accompanied by the Doctor, arrived within an hour and a half. He felt her pulse, and while her father and