What if he should have sent his cousin unprepared into eternity?
Oh, what would he give to see one motion; what, that he had been able to restrain his ungovernable fury! There was almost despair in his wild thoughts, when at last Frank sighed faintly, and then opened his eyes.

He closed them immediately, and just then the surgeon arriving, more potent remedies were used, and he was at length restored to consciousness, though unable to speak aloud.

Doctor Wilkinson had him removed to another room, and after seeing him comfortably arranged, returned to Reginald's bedroom.
"Now, how did this happen ?" he said.
No one spoke, and the silence was only broken by the sound of sobs from the further end of the room.
"Who did this ?" asked the doctor again.
"I did, sir," said Reginald, in a broken voice.
"Come forward.

Who is it that speaks ?" said Doctor Wilkinson.

"Mortimer! is this some passion of yours that has so nearly caused the death of your cousin?
I am deeply grieved to find that your temper is still so ungovernable.