He bade her remain there, and then returned to his grandfather's
bedside. In reply to his anxious questioning, he was informed that the
old man had fallen into a fit about an hour before--that a boy had been
instantly sent for the doctor, and the patient carried to bed; but that
he had not spoken since they laid him there. It would yet be an hour
before the doctor could possibly arrive, and the state of the patient
demanded instant attention.
And withal Thurston was growing very anxious upon Marian's account. The
sun was now sinking under a dark bank of clouds. The hour of his
appointed meeting with her was approaching. He felt, of course, that his
scheme must for the present be deferred--even if its accomplishment
should again seem necessary, which was scarcely possible. But Marian
would expect him. And how should he prevent her coming to the beach and
waiting for him there? He did not know where a message would most likely
now to find her, whether at Luckenough, at Old Fields or at Colonel
Thornton's. But he momentarily expected the arrival of Dr. Brightwell,
and he resolved to leave that good man in attendance at the sick bed,
while he himself should escape for a few hours; and hurry to the beach
to meet and have an explanation with his wife.
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