, 1864-05-14
Ny Friend Bromley. ,ji

IVY 1Tleno bromley.
One dull snowy morning in January,
while sitting at breakfast in my lodgings IN
a dull street in London, l received the fol.
lowing note:
DEAR HARRY-I am confined to my bed
very unwell-come and see rne-imme.
diately.
Yours always,
T. BROMLEY.
This was very laconic. Ihad seen Broun-
ley few nights before at the opera in high
spirits, and apparently in very good health.
| was rather surprised, therefore, at the
import Of the card, but thinking that it
might be some triAing indisposition, I fn-
ished my breakfast and my newspaper be-
fore setting out to tall. 1 found myself
about one o'clock at his lodgings, and, on
inquiring Of the footman how his master
was, | learned that he had been confined
to bed two days, and was still unable to
rise. l entered the chamber, and having
shaken hands, began to give the customary
consolations-hoped "that the illness was
triAing," and so on; but after / had be-
come familiar with the gloom Of the apart
ment, which was darkened, and could dis
tinguish objects properly, l was struck with
the change which had taken place in his
countenance; To be sure, there must al
ways be 4 great difference in mans ap-
pearance when he exchanges the gliding
Of fashionable exterior for the parapher-
MALTA Of sick bed; but even after making
allowance for this, l thought l discovered
symptoms Of serious malady. The worst
part Of the affair was the utter prostration
Of miud which he had experienced, for he
hardly appeared to listen to what l said |;
and on inquiriig what physician he had
consulted, he answered None; it was Of
no use."
Of course told him of the madness, the
folly Of this, and said would bring DR..
Berkely with me at four o'clock, though
hoped that by that time he would be bet
ter.
"TO tell the truth" said he, suddenly,
" I am afraid to hear the sentence Of ply
sician, for fear Of having my suspicious
confirmed; but l dare say it is tile best
way to be resolved at once. ,D6 bring hiin.
Pray what day Of tie month is this Har-
y|
"The sixth" answered.
"Is il" he exclaimed, with an earn
estness which made me start. Harry, l
must be well by the twelfth"
told him il there was anything I could
do for him on that particular day, l would
do it with pleasure.
"No, no, now he answered impatiently ;
~ must be out myself. What is to be done
You cannot imagine the horrid necessity
for my being out on that day, and ] cant
tell you" f
tried to make him explain what he
seemed SO anxious about, but he was impa-
tient of the subject; aud seeing only ir-
ritated him by inquiries, ] ceased to press
them, and took my leave II was evening
before l saw DIR. Berkely. The rain was
pouring in torrents, and it was pitchy dark.
We drove to Bromlsy's, and entered the
chamber along with the doctor, Who, seat
ing himself BY the 6reside, put the usual
medical question, aud was about to move
OIL r.t.-
"Onc moment, doctor, If you please.
I shall be obliged to you, if, for once, you
will lay aside your professional caution, and
speak out. What is the mattcry"
The doctor hesitatcd; said that dt pre-
sent he could not say with certainty what
was the matter; would call tomorrow |;
huped it was only cold; recommended qui-
etncss and desired him to keep his mind
free from alarm, as probably there was not
much to aFpreke6d.
Bromley was dissatisfied, but the doctor
would not speak out. took my leave along
with him, and, on parting, inquired IL he
feared anything very bad; and though he
gave me no explicit answer, / was satisfied
he considered the matter serious. He went
to visit his patients, and went to the opera.
In the glitter Of the performance, l forgot
Bromley aud his illness.
Another note hext morning. It ran
thus:
DEAR HARRY-I have had a miserable
night, and am wretched. Do come and see
me; il will be charity, etc.
The note was hardly legible, and had
been written evidently in violent agitation.
| In half an hour after the receipt, was in
his chamber. He was looking niserably,
but seemed rejoiced when l entered.
"You must think me very selfish in bor-
| ing you thus, sid he; but if you knew
how miserable am when alone, am sure
you would not grudge me an hour Of your
society."