CHAPTER XXIII.
DAYS AND NIGHTS OF PAIN.
In his darkened chamber at Deerham Court lay Lionel Verner.

Whether it was a sun-stroke, or whether it was but the commencement of a fever, which had suddenly struck him down that day, certain it was, that a violent sickness attacked him, and he lay for many, many days--days and weeks as old Frost had called it--between life and death.

Fever and delirium struggled with life, which should get the mastery.
Very little doubt was there, that his state of mind increased the danger of his state of body.

How bravely Lionel had struggled to do battle with his great anguish, he might scarcely have known himself, in all its full intensity, save for this illness.

He had loved Sibylla with the pure fervour of feelings young and fresh.