Page:Lady Anne Granard 3.pdf/139

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LADY ANNE GRANARD.
137

breathing through his frame, and almost inspiring the feelings it expressed? The long-trembling brother felt as if his worst fears were realized, his most distressing imaginings fulfilled, and he wept in very anguish of soul, from pity of the past, and fear for the future.

"Please, captain, the gentleman have brought these here wittles," said a voice.

"My good fellow, ask the doctor to divide the loaf amongst you; give me a morsel of the mutton, and give the two sick the remainder. Tell the crew I thank them for this act of good conduct more than all the rest; to-morrow, I trust——."

"To-night, to-night, " exclaimed Frederic, starting up, "you will all be relieved; food will be brought, the vessel towed into harbour, and——." But the poor fellow had vanished. However inadequate Sally Bragley's brown loaf might be to giving the men a mouthful a-piece, it was no fool of a loaf, being meant for a week's provision for two men, and the sight of it was cheering and promising. Lord Meersbrook felt himself to blame in giving way to his feelings rather than thanking God for the good he had obtained, and which had so long eluded him. "Had I sought you sooner," said he, "perhaps I might have helped you, but my grandfather made me promise not to tempt such terrible seas."