Withherownlittlehandsshecutoff，astenderlyasapearispeeled，thebridal-dress，sosteepedandstained，andthenwithherdaintytransparentfingersnolargerthanapencilsheprobedthevilewoundintheside，andfetchedthereekingbulletforth；andthenwiththecoldestwaterstanchedtheflowingofthelife-blood。Allthiswhilemydarlinglayinsensible，andwhiteasdeath；andneedednothingbuthermaidenshroud。
　　ButRuthstillspongedthepoorsideandforehead，andwatchedthelongeyelashesflatuponthemarblecheek；
　　andlaidherpurefaceonthefaintheart，andbadethemfetchherSpanishwine。Thenshepartedthepearlyteethfeeblyclenchedonthehoveringbreath，andpouredinwinefromachristeningspoon，andraisedthegracefulneckandbreast，andstrokedthedelicatethroat，andwaited；andthenpouredinalittlemore。
　　Annieallthewhilelookedonwithhorrorandamazement，countingherselfnosecond-ratenurse，andthisasagainstalltheory。ButthequietliftingofRuth’shand，andoneglancefromherdarkbrighteyes，toldAnniejusttostandaway，andnotintercepttheairso。AndattheverymomentwhenalltheresthadsettledthatRuthwasasimpleidiot，butcouldnotharmthedeadmuch，alittleflutterinthethroat，followedbyashortlowsigh，madethempause，andlookandhope。
　　Forhours，however，anddays，shelayattheveryvergeofdeath，keptalivebynothingbutthecare，theskill，thetenderness，andtheperpetualwatchfulnessofRuth。LuckilyAnniewasnotthereveryoften，soastomeddle；forkindandclevernurseasshewas，shemusthavedonemoreharmthangood。Butmybrokenrib，whichwassetbyadoctor，whochancedtobeatthewedding，wasallottedtoAnnie’scare；andgreatinflammationensuing，itwasquiteenoughtocontenther。ThisdoctorhadpronouncedpoorLornadead；
　　whereforeRuthrefusedmostfirmlytohaveaughttodowithhim。Shetookthewholecaseonherself；andwithGod’shelpsheboreitthrough。
　　NowwhetheritwerethelightandbrightnessofmyLorna’snature；orthefreedomfromanxiety——forsheknewnotofmyhurt；——or，assomepeoplesaid，herbirthrightamongwoundsandviolence，orhermannerofnotdrinkingbeer——Ileavethatdoctortodeterminewhopronouncedherdead。Butanyhow，onethingiscertain；
　　sureasstarsofhopeaboveus；Lornarecovered，longereIdid。
　　Forthegriefwasonmestillofhavinglostmyloveandloveratthemomentshewasmine。Withthepoweroffateuponme，andtheblackcauldronofthewizard’sdeathboilinginmyheatedbrain，Ihadnofaithinthetalestheytold。IbelievedthatLornawasinthechurchyard，whiletheserogueswerelyingtome。Forwithstrengthofbloodlikemine，andpowerofheartbehindit，abrokenbonemustburnitself。
　　Minewenthardwithfiresofpain，beingofsuchsizeandthickness；andIwasashamedofhimforbreakingbyreasonofapistol-ball，andthemerehugofaman。
　　Anditfetchedmedowninconceitofstrength；sothatIwascarefulafterwards。
　　Allthiswasalessontome。Allthismademeveryhumble；illnessbeingathing，asyet，altogetherunknowntome。NotthatIcriedsmall，orskulked，orfearedthedeathwhichsomeforetold；shakingtheirheadsaboutmortification，andagreenappearance。
　　OnlythatIseemedquitefittogotoheaven，andLorna。Forinmysickdistractedmindstirredwithmanytossings，likethebeadinthespreadoffrog-spawncarriedbythecurrent，hungtheblackandcentralessenceofmyfuturelife。AlifewithoutLorna；atadpolelife。Allstupidhead；andnobody。
　　Manymenmaylikesuchlife；anchorites，fakirs，high-priests，andsoon；buttomymind，itisnotthenativethingGodmeantforus。Mydearestmotherwasashow，withcryingandwithfretting。TheDoones，asshethought，wereborntodestroyus。Scarcehadshecometosomelivelinessthoughsprinkledwithtears，everynowandthenafterhergreatbereavement，andtenyears’timetodwellonit——whenlo，herewasherhusband’sson，thepetchildofherowngoodJohn，murderedlikehisfather!Well，thewaysofGodwerewonderful!
　　Sotheywere，andsotheyare；andsotheyeverwillbe。Letusdebatethemaswewill，arewaysareHis，andmuchthesame；onlysecond-handfromHim。AndI
　　expectedsomethingfromHim，eveninmyworstoftimes，knowingthatIhaddonemybest。
　　Thisisnotedifyingtalk——asourNonconformistparsonsays，whenhecangetnomoretodrink——thereforeletmeonlytellwhatbecameofLorna。Oneday，Iwassittinginmybedroom，forIcouldnotgetdownstairs，andtherewasnoonestrongenoughtocarryme，evenifIwouldhaveallowedit。
　　Thoughitcostmesoretroubleandweariness，IhadputonallmySundayclothes，outofrespectforthedoctor，whowascomingtobleedmeagainashealwaysdidtwiceaweek；anditstruckmethathehadseemedhurtinhismind，becauseIworemyworstclothestobebledin——forlieinbedIwouldnot，aftersixo’clock；
　　andeventhatwasgreatlaziness。
　　Ilookedatmyrighthand，whosegrasphadbeenlikethatofablacksmith’svice；anditseemedtomyselfimpossiblethatthiscouldbeJohnRidd’s。Thegreatframeofthehandwasthere，aswellasthemuscles，standingforthlikethegutteringofacandle，andthebroadblueveins，goinguptheback，andcrossingeveryfinger。Butasforcolour，evenLorna’scouldscarcelyhavebeenwhiter；andasforstrength，littleEnsieDoonemighthavecomeandhelditfast。IlaughedasI
　　triedinvaintoliftthebasinsetforbleedingme。
　　ThenIthoughtofallthelovelythingsgoingonout-of-doorsjustnow，concerningwhichthedrowsysongofthebeescametome。Thesemustbeamongthethyme，bythesoundoftheirgreatcontent。Thereforetherosesmustbeinblossom，andthewoodbine，andclove-gilly-flower；thecherriesonthewallmustbeturningred，theyellowSallymustbeonthebrook，wheatmustbecallowwithquaveringbloom，andtheearlymeadowsswathedwithhay。
　　YetherewasI，ahelplesscreaturequiteunfittostiramongthem，giftedwithnosight，noscentofallthechangesthatmoveourlove，andleadourhearts，frommonthtomonth，alongthequietpathoflife。Andwhatwasworse，Ihadnohopeofcaringeverforthemmore。
　　Presentlyalittleknocksoundedthroughmygloomyroom，andsupposingittobethedoctor，Itriedtoriseandmakemybow。ButtomysurpriseitwaslittleRuth，whohadneveroncecometovisitme，sinceIwasplacedunderthedoctor’shands。Ruthwasdressedsogaily，withrosettes，andflowers，andwhatnot，thatIwassorryforherbadmanners；andthoughtshewascometoconquerme，nowthatLornawasdonewith。
　　Ruthrantowardsmewithsparklingeyes，beingrathershortofsight；thensuddenlyshestopped，andIsawentireamazementinherface。
　　’Canyoureceivevisitors，CousinRidd？——why，theynevertoldmeofthis!’shecried：’Iknewthatyouwereweak，dearJohn；butnotthatyouweredying。
　　Whateveristhatbasinfor？’
　　’Ihavenointentionofdying，Ruth；andIlikenottotalkaboutit。Butthatbasin，ifyoumustknow，isforthedoctor’spurpose。’
　　’What，doyoumeanbleedingyou？Youpoorweakcousin!
　　Isitpossiblethathedoesthatstill？’
　　’Twiceaweekforthelastsixweeks，dear。Nothingelsehaskeptmealive。’
　　’Nothingelsehaskilledyou，nearly。There!’andshesetherlittlebootacrossthebasin，andcrushedit。
　　’Notanotherdropshalltheyhavefromyou。IsAnniesuchafoolasthat？AndLizzie，likeazany，atherbooks!Andkillingherbrother，betweenthem!’
　　IwassurprisedtoseeRuthexcited；hercharacterbeingsocalmandquiet。AndItriedtosootheherwithmyfeeblehand，asnowshekneltbeforeme。
　　’Dearcousin，thedoctormustknowbest。Anniesaysso，everyday。Whathashebeenbroughtupfor？’
　　’Broughtupforslayingandmurdering。TwentydoctorskilledKingCharles，inspiteofallthewomen。Willyouleaveittome，John？Ihavealittlewillofmyown；andIamnotafraidofdoctors。Willyouleaveittome，dearJohn？IhavesavedyourLorna’slife。AndnowIwillsaveyours；whichisafar，fareasierbusiness。’
　　’YouhavesavedmyLorna’slife!Whatdoyoumeanbytalkingso？’
　　’OnlywhatIsay，CousinJohn。ThoughperhapsI
　　overprizemywork。Butatanyrateshesaysso。’
　　’Idonotunderstand，’Isaid，fallingbackwithbewilderment；’allwomenaresuchliars。’
　　’Haveyoueverknownmetellalie？’Ruthingreatindignation——morefeigned，Idoubt，thanreal——’yourmothermaytellastory，nowandthenwhenshefeelsitright；andsomaybothyoursisters。Butsoyoucannotdo，JohnRidd；andnomorethanyoucanIdoit。’
　　Ifevertherewasvirtuoustruthintheeyesofanywoman，itwasnowinRuthHuckaback’s：andmybrainbeganveryslowlytomove，theheartbeingalmosttorpidfromperpetuallossofblood。
　　’Idonotunderstand，’wasallIcouldsayforaverylongtime。
　　’Willyouunderstand，ifIshowyouLorna？Ihavefearedtodoit，forthesakeofyouboth。ButnowLornaiswellenough，ifyouthinkthatyouare，CousinJohn。Surelyyouwillunderstand，whenyouseeyourwife。’
　　Followingher，totheveryutmostofmymindandheart，Ifeltthatallshesaidwastruth；andyetIcouldnotmakeitout。Andinherlastfewwordstherewassuchapowerofsadnessrisingthroughthecoverofgaiety，thatIsaidtomyself，halfinadream，’Ruthisverybeautiful。’
　　BeforeIhadtimetolistenmuchfortheapproachoffootsteps，Ruthcameback，andbehindherLorna；coyasifofherbridegroom；andhangingbackwithherbeauty。
　　Ruthbangedthedoor，andranaway；andLornastoodbeforeme。
　　Butshedidnotstandforaninstant，whenshesawwhatIwaslike。Attheriskofallthickbandages，andupsettingadozenmedicinebottles，andscatteringleechesrightandleft，shemanagedtogetintomyarms，althoughtheycouldnotholdher。Shelaidherpantingwarmyoungbreastontheplacewheretheymeanttobleedme，andshesetmypalefaceup；andshewouldnotlookatme，havinggreaterfaithinkissing。
　　Ifeltmylifecomeback，andwarm；Ifeltmytrustinwomenflow；Ifeltthejoysoflivingnow，andthepowerofdoingit。Itisnotamomenttodescribe；whofeelscannevertellofit。ButtherushofLorna’stears，andthechallengeofmybride’slips，andthethrobbingofmywife’sheartnowatlastathomeonmine，mademefeelthattheworldwasgood，andnotathingtobewearyof。
　　LittlemorehaveItotell。Thedoctorwasturnedoutatonce；andslowlycamebackmyformerstrength，withadarlingwife，andgoodvictuals。AsforLorna，shenevertiredofsittingandwatchingmeeatandeat。
　　Andsuchisherheartthatshenevertiresofbeingwithmehereandthere，amongthebeautifulplaces，andtalkingwithherarmaroundme——sofaratleastasitcango，thoughhalfofminemaygoroundher——ofthemanyfearsandtroubles，dangersanddiscouragements，andworstofallthebitterpartings，whichweusedtohave，somehow。
　　Thereisnoneedformyfarmingharderthanbecomesamanofweight。Lornahasgreatstoresofmoney，thoughweneverdrawitout，exceptforsomepoorneighbor；
　　unlessIfindherasumptuousdress，outofherownperquisites。Andthisshealwayslooksuponasawondrousgiftfromme；andkissesmemuchwhensheputsiton，andwalkslikethenoblewomansheis。AndyetImayneverbeholditagain；forshegetsbacktohersimpleclothes，andIloveherthebetterinthem。I
　　believethatshegiveshalfthegrandeuraway，andkeepstheotherhalfforthechildren。
　　AsforpoorTomFaggus，everyoneknowshisbitteradventures，whenhispardonwasrecalled，becauseofhisjourneytoSedgemoor。Notachildinthecountry，Idoubt，butknowsfarmorethanIdoofTom’smostdesperatedoings。Thelawhadruinedhimonce，hesaid；andthenhehadbeentoomuchforthelaw：andnowthataquietlifewashisobject，herethebasethingcameafterhim。Andsuchwashisdreadofthisevilspirit，thatbeingcaughtuponBarnstapleBridge，withsoldiersateitherendofityetdoubtfulaboutapproachinghim，hesethisstrawberrymare，sweetWinnie，attheleft-handparapet，withawhisperintoherdove-colouredear。Withoutamoment’sdoubtsheleapedit，intothefoamingtide，andswam，andlandedaccordingtoorders。Alsohisflightfromapublic-housewhereatrapwassetforhim，butWinniecameandbrokedownthedoor，andputtwomenunder，andtrodonthem，isaswellknownasanyballad。ItwasreportedforawhilethatpoorTomhadbeencaughtatlast，bymeansofhisfondnessforliquor，andwashangedbeforeTauntonJail；butluckilyweknewbetter。
　　Withagoodwife，andawonderfulhorse，andallthecountryattachedtohim，hekeptthelawatawholesomedistance，untilitbecametoomuchforitsmaster；andanewkingarose。Uponthis，Tomsuedhispardonafresh；andJeremyStickles，whosuitedthetimes，wasgladtohelphimingettingit，aswellasacompensation。ThereafterthegoodandrespectableTomlivedagodlythoughnotalwayssoberlife；andbroughtuphischildrentohonesty，asthefirstofallqualifications。
　　Mydearmotherwasashappyaspossiblyneedbewithus；havingnocauseforjealousy，asothersarosearoundher。Andeverybodywaswellpleased，whenLizzycameinonedayandtossedherbookshelfover，anddeclaredthatshewouldhaveCaptainBloxham，andnobodyshouldpreventher。Forthathealone，ofallthemenshehadevermetwith，knewgoodwritingwhenhesawit，andcouldspellawordwhentold。AshehadnowsucceededtoCaptainStickle’spositionSticklesgoingupthetree，andhadthepowerofcollecting，andofkeeping，whatheliked，therewasnothingtobesaidagainstit；andwehopedthathewouldpayherout。
　　IsentlittleEnsietoBlundell’sschool，atmyowncostandcharges，havingchangedhisname，forfearofwhatanyonemightdotohim。IcalledhimEnsieJones；
　　andwegothimacommission，andaftermanyscrapesofspirit，hedidgreatthingsintheLowCountries。Helooksuponmeashisfather；andwithoutmyleavewillnotlayclaimtotheheritageandtitleoftheDoones，whichclearlybelongtohim。
　　RuthHuckabackisnotmarriedyet；althoughuponUncleReuben’sdeathshecameintoallhisproperty；except，indeed，2000pounds，whichUncleBen，inhisdriestmanner，bequeathed’toSirJohnRidd，theworshipfulknight，forgreasingofthetestator’sboots。’Andheleftalmostamintofmoney，notfromthemine，butfromtheshop，andthegooduseofusury。Fortheminehadbroughtinjustwhatitcost，whentheveinofgoldendedsuddenly；leavingallconcernedmucholder，andsome，Ifear，muchpoorer；butnooneutterlyruined，asisthecasewithmostofthem。Ruthherselfwashistruemine，asupondeath-bedhefound。Iknowamanevenworthyofher：andthoughsheisnotveryyoung，helovesher，asIloveLorna。Itismyfirmconviction，thatintheendhewillwinher；andIdonotmeantodanceagain，exceptatdearRuth’swedding；
　　ifthefloorbestrongenough。
　　OfLorna，ofmylifelongdarling，ofmymoreandmorelovedwife，Iwillnottalk；foritisnotseemlythatamanshouldexalthispride。Yearbyyearherbeautygrows，withthegrowthofgoodness，kindness，andtruehappiness——aboveallwithloving。Forchange，shemakesajokeofthis，andplayswithit，andlaughsatit；andthen，whenmyslownaturemarvels，backshecomestotheearnestthing。AndifIwishtopayheroutforsomethingverydreadful——asmayhappenonceortwice，whenwebecometoogladsome——Ibringhertoforgottensadness，andtomeforcureofit，bythetwowords’LornaDoone。’
　　End