CHAPTER XI.
Overcome with the want of rest for two nights, from her distracting fears, and all those fears now hushed; Matilda, soon after she was placed in the carriage with Lord Elmwood, dropped fast asleep; and thus, insensibly surprised, leaned her head against her father in the sweetest slumber that imagination can conceive.
When she awoke, instead of the usual melancholy scene before her view, she beheld her father, and heard the voice of the once dreaded Lord Elmwood tenderly saying,
“We will go no further to-night, the fatigue is too much for her; order beds here directly, and some proper person to sit up and attend her.”
She could only turn to him with a look of love and duty; her lips could not utter a sentence.
In the morning she found her father by the side of her bed. He inquired “If she was in health sufficient to pursue her journey, or if she would remain where she was?”
“I am able to go with you,” she answered instantly.
“Nay,” replied he, “perhaps you ought to stay here till you are better?”
“I am better,” said she, “and ready to go with you.”——Half afraid that he meant to send her from him.
He perceived her fears, and replied, “Nay, if you stay, so shall I—and when I go, I shall take you along with me to my house.”