Seeketh Not Her Own; Or, the Workers of La Garaye (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. 1882. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XII. AT REST AMONG THEIR POOR. EARS passed on, and the hospital work at La Garaye remained the same, or rather it extended itself, as new buildings were erected to accommodate more patients, as well as an asylum for incurables at Dinan, while Monsieur de la Garaye's studies and discoveries also continued. Nor was this all; wherever there was poverty or misery of any sort within his ken, he was the first to use every effort to alleviate it. There was war at that time between France and England, and many English prisoners were confined in the castle of Dinan. Crowded together without fresh air, without cleanliness, it was no wonder that a virulent fever broke out among them. Doctors and nurses caught it and died, or were so weakened as to be unable to attend to their duties any longer, with the result that the prisoners were left untended. Without change of linen, without remedies of any sort, they perished in frightful numbers. No sooner did Monsieur de la Garaye hear of this than he went himself to their aid, and by not only ordering but supplying what was wanted, succeeded in checking the fever, though at the cost to himself of a long and dangerous illness. His hand unceasingly found good works to do, and he did them with his might; while Madame de la Garaye, in no whit behind him, as she had not children of her own was a mother to all who suffered, all who were in need of loving-kindness, and that is almost equivalent to saying, all who came near her. Many of the familiar faces vanished away; the children of old servants took their places, and they too grew grey in that happy service while the count and countess lived on, blessing and blest. Threescore years and ten passed over both their heads, and still they laboured, never thinking of rest w...