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DUTY AND INCLINATION.
241

turned, saying that the doctor, in his daily rounds to his patients, could not possibly reach the Bench until the lapse of several hours. In the meanwhile, to keep life from departing its frail tenement, Mrs. De Brooke administered a few drops of opium, which in a short time taking effect, the child dropped into a heavy and still slumber. Several hours had thus elapsed, when Dr. Beckford presented himself, and examining his young patient, pronounced her malady to be the typhus fever. He repeated his visits daily, and under his fostering care the little Rosilia began to revive, and show signs of convalescence.

Scarcely, however, had the fond parents time to exult, and be grateful for the mercy they had almost despaired of, than her brother was seized by the same complaint. Differing but little from the putrid or malignant fever, the disorder was highly contagious; and from what they then gathered, had already made great ravages in the interior of the prison, several having fallen victims, whilst others were taken in such a manner as to leave slender hopes of recovery.

The dreadful accounts they had just heard filled Mrs. De Brooke with the most terrifying presages: "What is to be done?" exclaimed she. Alas! too soon she discovered that all further precaution