Page 675 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

to brandy, and though the fierce excitement of his hopes
and fears steeled him against the stupefying action of the
liquor, he was rendered by it incapable of calm reflection.
In certain nervous conditions our mere physical powers are
proof against the action of alcohol, and though ten times
more drunk than the toper, who, incoherently stammering,
reels into the gutter, we can walk erect and talk with flu-
ency. Indeed, in this artificial exaltation of the sensibilities,
men often display a brilliant wit, and an acuteness of com-
prehension, calculated to delight their friends, and terrify
their physicians. North had reached this condition of brain-
drunkenness. In plain terms, he was trembling on the verge
of madness.
The days passed swiftly, and Blunt’s preparations for sea
were completed. There were two stern cabins in the schoo-
ner, one of which was appropriated to Mrs. Frere, while the
other was set apart for North. Maurice had not attempted to
renew his overtures of friendship, and the chaplain had not
spoken. Mindful of Sylvia’s last words, he had resolved not
to meet her until fairly embarked upon the voyage which he
intended should link their fortunes together. On the morn-
ing of the 19th December, Blunt declared himself ready to
set sail, and in the afternoon the two passengers came on
board.
Rufus Dawes, gazing from his window upon the schoo-
ner that lay outside the reef, thought nothing of the fact that,
after the Commandant’s boat had taken away the Comman-
dant’s wife another boat should put off with the chaplain. It
was quite natural that Mr. North should desire to bid his

For the Term of His Natural Life