’Need I confess that the entrance of a guardian angel in the shape of a skillful disciple of Esculapius would have been hailed by me as an especial joy?  However, no such angel came, neither was he within call; so as the danger struck me as imminent, and his condition appeared growing every moment more critical, I argued, without bleeding he would undoubtedly die, whereas by my attempt, however clumsy, he might rally.  I plucked up my courage to the sticking-point, and stuck my patient.  I drew several ounces of blood.  My fair assistant displayed the most undeniable, I can hardly say irreproachable, coolness, for really, to my fancy, she was a little too much self-possessed.  As soon as the bandages were applied, Arthur’s consciousness returned.

‘’Ah! thanks, thanks,’ said he, addressing me in a low, faltering tone.  ‘The crisis has now passed.’

‘’Over-excitement, doubtless, produced it?’

‘’Yes,’ said he, ’any excitement is dangerous for one like me.  You see in me a man condemned to death by every member of the faculty that I have ever consulted.  I dare say you mean kindly, and by that look of incredulity, you would seek to comfort me.’

‘’Well, doctors are often mistaken,’ I said.

’’True; but I am convinced their predictions in my case will be literally fulfilled, for when this terrible disease of the heart once lays its hold upon a man, it never relaxes its deadly grasp.  But,’ said he, raising himself to a sitting posture, ’but I will not die, I must live.  One fixed purpose, one great aim sustains me, and I feel that till I have accomplished this, the thread of life, frail as I know it is, strained as I feel it oft to be, still, still I have a firm presentiment it will hold out.’

‘’Arthur, dear Arthur!’ broke in the voice of Adele, as she leaned over his shoulder, ’you know after such a paroxysm, repose is necessary.  No more conversation to-night; strive to calm your nerves, and to enjoy the tranquil influence of sleep.  Do this, I beg, I implore you.’

’With the docility of a petted child he yielded, and reclining his head upon his pillow, soon sank into a deep sleep.  It was now verging upon three o’clock, and at my solicitation Adele retired to my apartment, while I kept watch beside my patient’s couch.

’The mysterious individual whose conduct had so puzzled me, and to whom I had been so strangely introduced, seemed to be a man of about thirty, decidedly handsome, and of striking mien, of elegant manners, and evidently accustomed to refined society.  His hair, which curled naturally, was, however, growing thin; a few deep lines were furrowed on his brow, and the corners of his mouth wore, as it were, unconsciously, at times, a disdainful air, and as he slept I could trace how the fire of youthful passion had brought his manhood to premature decay.

’Although the veil of mystery had been rent, my curiosity was only whetted, by no means gratified.  Who could this man be for whose arrival, according to my hostess’ account, he had been waiting with such feverish impatience?  What journey could he have returned from, in such shattered health; and finally, what was this great purpose, on the successful issue of which, he seemed to stake his all, on which he declared his life to hang?