The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-11-16

ny StIdngo untdsincsS--ihc scat VI q new
malady, which the physicians do not reckon
with the self-limied diseases, or number
among those within the sphere Of their medi-
cal practice, and about which the metaphysi-
cal talk very clearly and wisely while they
can neither solve its nature, calculate its dura-
ton, prescribe an antidote. nor resist its at
lacks. Yet, among her most earthly thoughts,
Therese admitted not the possibility Of her
ever seeing Delorbe beyond the wall which
then enclosed them, should he recover, and
regain his liberty She only wished that he
might go forth to liberty and life, while she
remained behind, dead TO the world but alive
to memory and self-denying benefcence--to
think Of him; and, if this were SINFUL to re-
pent, get absolved, and then go on and sin
again. Yet, at the same time, like good lit
tie nun, she shuddered at the thought Of letting
her consecrated heart run so far astray as TO
fas,en its heaven devoted strings on an earth
ly object. Nor did she let the secret of her
bosom escape in word or deed, or look. She
kept her sentiments to herself and gave her
attentions and her services to her duties and
her charge.
Meantime the soft sensibilities Of the ma
lade had not been deadened or idle under the
care Of his gentle nurse. " Patience says
one student of the human affections, is the
art Of hoping" This was confirmed in the
diligent endeavors Of Therese to revive the
object OF her kindness, and to set him free.
Hope," says another, is the dream Of a
waking man." This, also, might have been
pronounced true concerning the invalid, could
his thoughts have been read as they passed
unuttered through his mind. Strange as il
may seem to those, who do not understand
how wildly and perversely the hayward heart
will sometimes take it upon itself to act in.
dependently of the reasoning head, while
Delorbe was yet uncertain whether he was
virtually beheaded man or not, but certain
that his benefaciress had renowned the world.
and protested herself dead to earthly attach
meni, his heart had warmed as with new Vi
tally beneath her care, and was shooting out
its young affections after her, like the roots
Of an air plant, that grow without ground, and
live upon the wind that shakes them. But he,
too, had learned, ga wise man spareth his
tongue" especially in case like his (if indeed
he had a predecessor and he kept silence,
not allowing an intimation of the truth to es-
cape concerning his penchant for the fair re-
cuse.
Therese had now fixed on time and way
to bring about his liberation. lie was sick
and in prison, and she had ministered unto
him, and now would she throw open the pri-
son doors to him that was bound > not forget
ting, that while it was enjoined on her to do
the one thing, it was also her instruction mot
to leave the other undone.' But, to do this
latter good, it became necessary for her to
confide her plan to third person, and to en-
list his assistance in carrying il out to success.
This person, as will shortly appear, was the
surgeon Of the hospital.
In the trying day, she instructed Delorbe TO
fegn fatal symptoms, and then dying strug-
gle; after which he must sink away as If life
had Departed, a little while before the usual
hour for the attending physician to make his
round among the patients. Delorbe obcyed,
for he saw that she knew well how to combine
the wisdom of the serpent with the harmless
ness Of the dove, while he became her docile
pupil. He affected strong paroxysm, sue
ceeding languor, and, at last, the sleep that
has no dream. AS was the custom when one
had expired. Therese spread the sheet up
over his face, to signify that he had ceased to
breathe; and there he lay like form Of spirit
less clay, when the physician entered. Sup
posing that his patient was beyond the need
and the reach of his skill, he made no further !
investigation, than TO ask when he died and,
being told by the nurse how recently his last
struggle was over and how he had sunk away,
he then passed on to feel the pulses of others,
that beat no doubt, more feebly than that Of
the supposed corpse.
In the evening, Therese pretended that the
body of the prisoner was demanded for the
instruction Of the pupils, and had him removed
into the dissecting hall. Here the kind sur
geon seeing, that the subject was under the
influence of more tender and skilful operator
than his own hand and blade, and that the
body needed to be clothed rather than dismem-
bered, had made provision against exposure,
and furnished a suit Of his own garments, in
which the pretended dead body was hastily
habited, and in the disguise passed out, I'M
suspected, to place ofrefnse.
The next day, Therese, being questioned, |
threw herself upon the mercy Of her superiors
and confessed the whole truth, as to her stra-
tagem. with SO much candor and apparent
contrition for the offence, and such protesta-
tons OF the pity that had led her to take such
course, that she was forgiven, without Pc
nalty
Delorbe had engaged her to meet him
once more in his asylum, that he might thank
her again for the life she had, in twofold
sense, restored, or saved; and the gentle nun
found means and inclination to fulfil her pro-
mise. Here Delorbe made a full dis
closure OF his sentiments, and entreated his
beneiactress to consent that she would bless
the life he owed her, by accepting his hand
and fortune, and rendering her destiny hence
forth lnseparable from his and proposed that
she should fly with him beyond pursuit, where
their union might be speedily consummated.
The pious sister was at first startled
shoCked,-and she shuddered mt the thought i