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neck-handkerchief: bring them here; and be nimble.'
I went; sought the repository he had mentioned, found the
articles named, and returned with them.
'Now,' said he, 'go to the other side of the bed while I order
his toilet; but don't leave the room: you may be wanted again.'
I retired as directed.
'Was anybody stirring below when you went down, Jane?' inquired Mr.
Rochester presently.
'No, sir; all was very still.'
'We shall get you off cannily, Dick: and it will be better, both
for your sake, and for that of the poor creature in yonder. I have
striven long to avoid exposure, and I should not like it to come at
last. Here, Carter, help him on with his waistcoat. Where did you
leave your furred cloak? You can't travel a mile without that, I know,
in this damned cold climate. In your room?- Jane, run down to Mr.
Mason's room,- the one next mine,- and fetch a cloak you will see
there.'
Again I ran, and again returned, bearing an immense mantle lined
and edged with fur.
'Now, I've another errand for you,' said my untiring master; you
must away to my room again. What a mercy you are shod with velvet,
Jane!- a clod-hopping messenger would never do at this juncture. You
must open the middle drawer of my toilet-table and take out a little
phial and a little glass you will find there,- quick!'
I flew thither and back, bringing the desired vessels.
'That's well! Now, doctor, I shall take the liberty of
administering a dose myself, on my own responsibility. I got this
cordial at Rome, of an Italian charlatan- a fellow you would have
kicked, Carter. It is not a thing to be used indiscriminately, but
it is good upon occasion: as now, for instance. Jane, a little water.'
He held out the tiny glass, and I half-filled it from the
water-bottle on the washstand.
'That will do;- now wet the lip of the phial.'
I did so; he measured twelve drops of a crimson liquid, and
presented it to Mason.
'Drink, Richard: it will give you the heart you lack, for an hour
or so.'
'But will it hurt me?- is it inflammatory?'
'Drink! drink! drink!'
Mr. Mason obeyed, because it was evidently useless to resist. He
was dressed now: he still looked pale, but he was no longer gory and
sullied. Mr. Rochester let him sit three minutes after he had
swallowed the liquid; he then took his arm-
'Now I am sure you can get on your feet,' he said- 'try.'
The patient rose.
'Carter, take him under the other shoulder. Be of good cheer,
Richard; step out- that's it!'
'I do feel better,' remarked Mr. Mason.
'I am sure you do. Now, Jane, trip on before us away to the
backstairs; unbolt the side-passage door, and tell the driver of the
post-chaise you will see in the yard- or just outside, for I told
him not to drive his rattling wheels over the pavement- to be ready;
we are coming: and, Jane, if any one is about, come to the foot of the