"Boulogne-sur-Mer, France,
"July 24, 1839.
"My dear young Friend,
"If you can possibly dispose of your time for a few days, come to me at once. A severe accident—which may prove fatal—renders it prudent that I should attend to my worldly affairs; and to this end I require the assistance of a friend. Such I know you to be.
"THOMAS ARMSTRONG."
"The accident which my friend has met with must have been a serious one," said Markham, "or his letter would be more explicit. I feel deeply anxious to know the whole truth; for it was he who gave me courage to face the world, and taught me how to raise my head again, after my release from imprisonment;—he also introduced me to one——"
Markham ceased: and for some moments his thought were bent wholly on Isabella.
At length the post-chaise arrived, and Richard departed on his journey, after bidding adieu to Mr. Monroe and Ellen, and having received a special request from the faithful Whittingham "to mind and not be conglomerated by any such fellers as Kidderminster and them wulgar chaps which called butlers tulips."
CHAPTER LXXVIII.
MARIAN.
IN the evening Ellen retired early to her apartment, for she felt very unwell; and certain sensations which she had experienced during the day had alarmed her.
A short time after she had withdrawn to the seclusion of her own chamber, the faithful and kind-hearted Marian made her appearance.