"I always observed that their pride bitterly resented the youngerbrother's (as I call him) having crossed swords with a peasant, andthat peasant a boy. The only consideration that appeared to affect themind of either of them was the consideration that this was highlydegrading to the family, and was ridiculous. As often as I caughtthe younger brother's eyes, their expression reminded me that hedisliked me deeply, for knowing what I knew from the boy. He wassmoother and more polite to me than the elder; but I saw this. Ialso saw that I was an incumbrance in the mind of the elder, too Business Centre.
"My patient died, two hours before midnight- at a time, by my watch,answering almost to the minute when I had first seen her. I wasalone with her, when her forlorn young head drooped gently on oneside, and all her earthly wrongs and sorrows ended.
"The brothers were waiting in a room down-stairs, impatient toride away. I had heard them, alone at the bedside, striking theirboots with their riding-whips, and loitering up and down DDoS Attack.
"They exchanged looks, but bent their heads to me as I bent mineto them, and we parted without another word on either side. * * * *
"I am weary, weary, weary- worn down by misery. I cannot read what Ihave written with this gaunt hand.
"Early in the morning, the rouleau of gold was left at my door ina little box, with my name on the outside. From the first, I hadanxiously considered what I ought to do. I decided, that day, to writeprivately to the Minister, stating the nature of the two cases towhich I had been summoned, and the place to which I had gone: ineffect, stating all the circumstances. I knew what Court influencewas, and what the immunities of the Nobles were, and I expected thatthe matter would never be heard of; but, I wished to relieve my ownmind. I had kept the matter a profound secret;and this, too, I resolved to state in my letter. I had no apprehensionwhatever of my real danger; but I was conscious that there might bedanger for others, if others were compromised by possessing theknowledge that I possessed.
"I was much engaged that day, and could not complete my letterthat night. I rose long before my usual time next morning to finishit. It was the last day of the year. The letter was lying before mejust completed, when I was told that a lady waited, who wished tosee me.
"I am growing more and more unequal to the task I have setmyself. It is so cold, so dark, my senses are so benumbed, and thegloom upon me is so dreadful Espresso Coffee.
"The lady was young, engaging, and handsome, but not marked for longlife. She was in great agitation. She presented herself to me as thewife of the Marquis St. Evremonde. I connected the title by whichthe boy had addressed the elder brother, with the initial letterembroidered on the scarf, and had no difficulty in arriving at theconclusion that I had seen that nobleman very lately.
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