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Suddenly Barnabas smiled, and held out a hand to him

"Why, John," said he, "my faithful John--is it you?"

"Sir,"forward, took that extended hand,

looking down at Barnabas joyful-eyed, and would have spoken, yet

uttered no other word

"John," said Barnabas, glancing round the faded splendors of the

bed-chamber, "where am I, pray?"

"At Ashleydown, sir"

"Ashleydown?" repeated Barnabas, wrinkling his brow

"Sir, you have been--very ill"

"Ah, yes, I was shot I reht, I think?"

"Sir, it happened over three weeks ago"

"Three weeks!" repeated Barnabas, sitting up with an effort,

"three weeks, John?--Oh, impossible!"

"You have been very near death, sir Indeed I think you would have

died but for the tender nursing and unceasing care of--"

"Ah, God bless her! Where is she, John--where is the Duchess?"

"Her Grace went out driving thiswith her this o"

"That was yesterday , sir"

"Oh!" said Barnabas, hand to head, "do you mean that I have slept

the clock round?"

"Yes, sir"

"Hury, John, deuced sharp

set--ravenous, John!"