"No, Henry, there are so many things on my mind that I wish to talk about, and you would answer no questions nor hear anything I had to say when we first arrived; but I have been here a week, and I feel so much stronger and better, there can be no possible objection now."
"I am half-afraid to allow you to excite yourself, Arthur; would it not be wiser to wait another week?"
"No, no, Henry, you cannot tell what a relief it will be to my mind to unburden my heart to you. We shall not be interrupted, for I desired nurse to keep Clara out till four o'clock; this anxiety retards my recovery."
"Well, my dear fellow, if it will really help you to get well I am ready to listen and answer questions, but remember you are not to excite yourself;" and Henry Halford drew a chair near his brother-in-law's couch and seated himself to listen.
"First then," said Arthur, "tell me one thing—did I rave about a carpet bag in my delirium?"
"Well, yes," said Henry, wonderingly; "I suppose it must have fallen with you into the river."
"Has it been found?"
"It was not brought to Englefield Grange for weeks after your accident; the bag and its contents are in a terrible condition from the action of the water."
"Were any papers amongst the débris?"
"One, completely reduced to a pulp, the writing upon it scarcely legible; it appeared quite useless, so I burnt it!"