"With our subsequent rencontre at Sir John's, you are already acquainted. My mother, on her first arrival in town, designed to have called on St. Ledger; but, understanding he was at his country seat, deemed it unnecessary; and, having recovered her emigrant, took leave of her friends, and reconducted me to the Hall, where, a few days after, I was again placed in confinement.
CHAPTER III.
"The visits of Mr. Talton in some degree restored my liberty: but solitude was then become my choice; my mind, by constantly dwelling on the waywardness of my fate, became gloomy; and my wretchedness was farther encreased, by hearing the exultations of my mother, at the subjection to which she had reduced me.
"Mallet, nevertheless, wished my death, under an apprehension that I might, one day, discover the means which had been used to defraud me of my possessions; and repeatedly endeavoured to persuade her to let him administer such drugs as, without leaving any signs of violence, would quickly send me to the grave.—This, however, my mother as often opposed; and, at last declared, if I died, she would marry Talton.
"This arrangement by no means satisfied Mallet, whose real motive, I believe, was an idea, that if I were dead, he might persuade or terrify her into a marriage with himself.
"In the mean time, my mother continued her usual mode of behaviour toward me; occasionally allowing me the liberty of rambling in the surrounding plantations, though with two or three servants to watch me, lest I should again attempt to escape.
"Thus passed more than a twelve-month, when I was taken ill; I loathed my food; my strength failed me; and repose became a stranger to my pillow. Frequently I passed the night in pacing my room; or, when the moon afforded sufficient light, in contemplating the venerable structure where the ashes of my father rested, or in tracing the different haunts where he had so often attended me in my juvenile rambles.
"One night, as usual, I deserted my bed, my mind brooding on the ills which might befall my Eliza and her friends, if fate should consign me to the tomb; an event I thought very likely to happen;—restless, and not knowing where to fly for relief, I, after some time wandering about the chamber, unlocked the door of the private room; and, almost unconsciously, advanced to the spot which had afforded me such a source of unhappiness.