"No; let me alone, and be quiet," was the feeble reply.
The old woman went back to the fireplace, and sat down in silence. The two laboring men, uninvited, seated themselves at a short distance. All thoughts of going to a merry-making were given up for that night.
And a weary death-watch commenced, and continued in awful silence and stillness until it was interrupted by the sound of horses' feet in front of the house, and soon after by a loud knocking.
Miss Tabby sprang up to open the door and admit the doctor and the lawyer.
"This is a terrible thing, Mrs. Winterose," said Dr. Hart, as he shook hands with the old lady, and bowed to the other members of the family.
"Terrible indeed, sir," replied Mrs. Winterose, as she led the way to the bedside.
"I am sorry to see you wounded, Mr. Blondelle; but we shall bring you round all right," said Dr. Hart, as he took the hand of the dying man.
"Doctor, you know, or you will soon know, that you cannot do any such thing. So let us have no flattery. But if you can give me anything to keep me alive until I shall have finished a statement, that it may take me an hour to make, you will do the only thing you possibly can do for me," said Mr. Blondelle, speaking faintly, with difficulty, and with frequent pauses.
"Let me examine your injuries," said the doctor, gently.
"Do so, if you must and will. But pray occupy as little of my precious time as possible," pleaded the dying man.