He sat thus for some time without taking any notice whatever of his friend, and at length lighted a cigar, which he smoked, as he often did when excited, in great voluminous puffs.

Hawbury said nothing, but after one or two quick glances at his friend, rang a bell and ordered some "Bass." "Here, old fellow," said he, drawing the attention of Dacres to the refreshing draught.

"Take some--'Quaff, oh, quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget thy lost Lenore.'" Dacres at this gave a heavy sigh that sounded like a groan, and swallowed several tumblers in quick succession.
"Hawbury!" said he at length, in a half-stifled voice.
"Well, old man ?" "I've had a blow to-day full on the breast that fairly staggered me." "By Jove!" "Fact.

I've just come from a mad ride along the shore.

I've been mad, I think, for two or three hours.