I made no answer to this prophetic remark, Lucy’s visit to the shore, her manner, and all that she had said, convincing me that she had, in a great degree, taken leave of hope.  We conversed some time longer, returning toward the cottage; but there was nothing further to communicate, that it is necessary to record.  Neither of us thought of self, and I would as soon have attempted to desecrate a church, as attempt to obtain any influence over Lucy, in my own behalf, at such a moment.  All my feelings reverted to my poor sister again, and I was dying with impatience to return to the sloop, whither, indeed, it was time to repair, the sun having some time before disappeared, while even the twilight was drawing to a close.

Chapter V.

  “The serpent of the field, by art
  And spells, is won from harming,
  But that which coils around the heart,
  Oh! who hath power of charming?”

  Hebrew Melodies.

It was not easy to make Mr. Hardinge a sharer in my impatience.  He had taken a fancy to Marble, and was as much rejoiced at this accidental discovery of the mate’s parentage, as if he had been one of the family himself.  With such feelings, therefore, I had a good deal of difficulty in getting him away.  I asked Marble to go off with me, it being understood that he was to be landed again, in order to pass the first night of his recognition under his mother’s roof.  To this scheme, however, he raised an objection, as soon as told it was my intention to go down the river as far as New York, in quest of further medical advice, insisting on accompanying me, in order to obtain the thousand dollars with which to face ’Squire Van Tassel, or, at least, his mortgage sale.  Accordingly, there were leave-takings, and about eight we were all on board the sloop.

I did not see, nor did I ask to see, my sister again, that night.  I had not seen her, indeed, since the moment Rupert was discovered in company with the Mertons; and, to own the truth, I felt afraid to see her, knowing, as I did, how much her frame was apt to be affected by her mind.  It appeared to me there remained but the single duty to perform, that of getting below as fast as possible, in order to obtain the needed medical aid.  It is true, we possessed Post’s written instructions, and knew his opinion that the chief thing was to divert Grace’s thoughts from dwelling on the great cause of her malady; but, now he had left us, it seemed as if I should neglect a most sacred duty, did I delay obtaining some other competent physician.