He had little breath left when at last he
reached the platform from which rose the towering bulk.
He carried him straight to the housekeeper's room. It was not yet
more than half-past ten; and though the servants were mostly in bed,
mistress Brookes was still moving about. He laid his burden on her
sofa, and hastened to find her.
Like a sensible woman she kept her horror and dismay to herself.
She got some brandy, and between them they managed to make him
swallow a little. He began to recover. They bathed his wound, and
did for it what they could with scissors and plaster, then carried
him to his own room, and got him to bed. Donal sat down by him, and
staid. His patient was restless and wandering all the night, but
towards morning fell into a sound sleep, and was still asleep when
the housekeeper came to relieve him.
As soon as Mrs. Brookes left Donal with lord Forgue, she went to
Eppy's room, and found her in bed, pretending to be asleep. She
left her undisturbed, thinking to come easier at the truth if she
took her unprepared to lie. It came out afterwards that she was not
so heartless as she seemed. She found lord Forgue waiting her upon
the road, and almost immediately Kennedy came up to them. Forgue
told her to run home at once: he would soon settle matters with the
fellow. She went off like a hare, and till she was out of sight the
men stood looking at each other.
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