| 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 87 |
| 1 | 198 | 396 | 594 | 792 |
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The spinster aunt uttered a piercing scream, burst into an hysteric
laugh, and fell backwards in the arms of her nieces.
'Throw some cold water over her,' said the old gentleman.
'No, no,' murmured the spinster aunt; 'I am better now. Bella, Emily -
a surgeon! Is he wounded? - Is he dead? - Is he - Ha, ha, ha!' Here the
spinster aunt burst into fit number two, of hysteric laughter
interspersed with screams.
'
Calm yourself,' said Mr Tupman, affected almost to tears by this
expression of sympathy with his sufferings. 'Dear, dear madam, calm
yourself.'
'It is his voice!' exclaimed the spinster aunt; and strong symptoms of
fit number three developed themselves forthwith.
'
Do not agitate yourself, I entreat you, dearest madam,' said Mr
Tupman soothingly. 'I am very little hurt, I assure you.'
'
Then you are not dead!' ejaculated the hysterical lady. 'Oh, say you
are not dead!'
'
Don't be a fool, Rachael,' interposed Mr Wardle, rather more roughly
than was consistent with the poetic nature of the scene. 'What the
devil's the use of his saying he isn't dead?'
'
No, no, I am not,' said Mr Tupman. 'I require no assistance but yours.
Let me lean on your arm.' He added, in a whisper, 'Oh, Miss Rachael!'
The agitated female advanced, and offered her arm. They turned into
the breakfast parlour. Mr Tracy Tupman gently pressed her hand to
his lips, and sank upon the sofa.
'
'
Are you faint?' inquired the anxious Rachael.
No,' said Mr Tupman. 'It is nothing. I shall be better presently.' He
closed his eyes.
'
He sleeps,' murmured the spinster aunt. (His organs of vision had
been closed nearly twenty seconds.) 'Dear - dear - Mr Tupman!'
Mr Tupman jumped up - 'Oh, say those words again!' he exclaimed.
The lady started. 'Surely you did not hear them!' she said bashfully.
'
Oh, yes, I did!' replied Mr Tupman; 'repeat them. If you would have
me recover, repeat them.' 'Hush!' said the lady. 'My brother.' Mr Tracy
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