Page:Paul Clifford Vol 1.djvu/43

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PAUL CLIFFORD.
13

or motion. A low and rare moan only testified continued life, and within two hours that ceased, and the spirit was gone. At that time our good hostess was herself beyond the things of this outer world, having supported her spirits during the vigils of the night with so many little liquid excitations, that they finally ended in that torpor which generally succeeds excitement. Taking, perhaps, advantage of the opportunity the insensibility of the hostess afforded him, Dummie, by the expiring ray of the candle that burnt in the death chamber, hastily opened a huge box (which was generally concealed under the bed, and contained the wardrobe of the deceased,) and turned with irreverent hand over the linens and the silks, until quite at the bottom of the trunk he discovered some packets of letters;—these he seized, and buried in the conveniences of his dress; he then rising and replacing the box, cast a longing eye towards the watch on the toilet-table, which was of gold; but he withdrew his gaze, and with a long, querulous sigh, observed to himself, "The old blone kens o' that, od rat her! but, how-