The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 148: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

122 THE COURT OF LONDON coffin were already made and his grave dug, for in a few hours he will be numbered with the dead.” “ But, doctor, doctor,’’ said Mrs. Brace, with a feverish nervousness of manner and an agitated tone, as she laid her trembling hand upon the surgeon’s arm, “ is it catching? Do I incur any danger by watching at his side? If he were to bite me —if the foam of his lips were to touch me —”’ “No harm can arise, madam,’’ was the response; ‘ you have nothing to fear. But now the convulsions and spasms are seizing upon the invalid again, and I must administer some sedative. In a few minutes I will return.” The doctor accordingly hastened away to procure what he required from his own dwelling, which was in the imme- diate neighbourhood; and during his absence Frederick Dray passed through another fit of furious delirium and excruciating pain. He raved in a manner that was shocking to hear; and he writhed and tossed upon the couch as if invisible serpents had coiled around him. At one moment he besought and implored Mrs. Brace in the most piteous terms not to murder him; then he invoked Heaven’s ven- geance and hell’s curses upon her head. Yet all this while he neither sought to harm her, nor even to move from the bed on which he was racked by such intense and poignant agonies. — The fit had somewhat subsided by the time the doctor reappeared, and he now proceeded to force the invalid to swallow an opium dose. By assuming a commanding tone and authoritative aspect, he succeeded in coercing the miserable wretch, and the sedative soon produced its effect. Dray grew tranquil, and presently fell into a slumber that was apparently easy. ‘““ The moment he wakes up again, madam,” said the doc- tor, “‘ administer another dose. If you have any difficulty in persuading him to swallow it, send immediately for me. But I pray you to understand that this treatment is merely adopted in order to smooth his passage into another world, and not with any hope of prolonging his life in this. His doom is sealed, and no earthly power can save him.” The doctor then took his departure, with an intimation that he would return again at midnight, if he were not fetched before. ““ And he may rest assured that I shall not send for him,” EONNIE AOC) “S m