\"by the way, you\"ve remended me a good patient, poor lady! not togo on talking in this heartless way, i seriously believe that mrs. hale-thatlady in crampton, you know--hasn\"t many weeks to live. i neverhad any hope of cure, as i think i told you; but i\"ve been seeing her today,and i think very badly of her.\"

mr. thornton was silent. the vaunted steadiness of pulse failed him foran instant.

\"can i do anything, doctor?\" he asked, in an altered voice. \"you know-youwould see, that money is not very plentiful; are there any fortsor dainties she ought to hāve?\"

\"no,\" replied the doctor, shaking his head. \"she crāves for fruit,--she hasa constant fever on her; but jargonelle pears will do as well as anything,and there are quantities of them in the market.\"

\"you will tell me, if there is anything i can do, i\"m sure, replied mr.

thornton. \"i rely upon you.\"

\"oh! never fear! i\"ll not spare your purse,--i know it\"s deep enough. iwish you\"d give me carte-blanche for all my patients, and all theirwants.\"

but mr. thornton had no general benevolence,--no universalphilanthropy; few even would hāve given him credit for strongaffections. but he went straight to the first fruit-shop in milton, andchose out the bunch of purple grapes with the most delicate bloom uponthem,--the richest-coloured peaches,--the freshest vine-leāves. theywere packed into a basket, and the shopman awaited the answer to hisinquiry, \"where shall we send them to, sir?\"

there was no reply. \"to marlborough mills, i suppose, sir?\"

\"no!\" mr. thornton said. \"give the basket to me,--i\"ll take it.\"

it took up both his hands to carry it; and he had to pass through thebusiest part of the town for feminine shopping. many a young lady ofhis acquaintance turned to look after him, and thought it strange to seehim occupied just like a porter or an errand-boy.

he was thinking, \"i will not be daunted from doing as i choose by thethought of her. i like to take this fruit to the poor mother, and it issimply right that i should. she shall never scorn me out of doing what iplease. a pretty joke, indeed, if, for fear of a haughty girl, i failed indoing a kindness to a man i liked i do it for mr. hale; i do it in defianceof her.\"

．.（／t／｜小／／说／//）

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