George Vanbrugh's Mistake (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1880 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIII. STORMING A STRONGHOLD. Job Hollings fainted from loss of blood, but Lucy had a good deal of her sister's practical nature about her. She knew the servants could neither of them be back for an hour, and it might be longer ere one or other returned with a doctor, so there was but herself to rely upon. A couple of handkerchiefs and a muslin curtain, hastily torn down for the purpose, were employed for a bandage; and when this had been adjusted, Lucy bethought herself of a stimulant for the patient. Fortunately both wine and glasses were at hand in a cupboard of the summer-house, and there was no need to run all the way indoors for them. Job revived under this judicious treatment, but only to close his eyes again and groan painfully. Lucy asked if he were much hurt, and if she could ease him in any way; but the only reply was, 'Let me be--let me be." So there was nothing but to watch and wait. She dared not leave the patient, and in her anxiety about his faintness administered from time to time small doses of wine--an attention, however, which only succeeded, again and again, in drawing forth the request to let him be. For the time she forgot all about the terrible Frenchman. Whether he made his exit by the lavender field or ran into the house she did not know; but now, as she sat watching Job, her head grew sick and dizzy, and the scene she had witnessed was enacted over and over again. What a change had come about within the last hour What a terrible revelation And as the minutes passed, here was a man dying at her feet. Would they never come? There were others besides Lucy who were weary of waiting. Ferdy and Wat, left by themselves in the nursery, climbed to the window repeatedly to see if any one were coming, after having exhausted every pa...