OR THE DESERT ISLAND. 115

CHAPTER XVI.

Forgiveness -— Preparation for Death — The Embrace.

Towarps the unfortunate Count D’Estaing, Philip Mer-
ville’s breast harboured not the faintest spark of animosity.
It was with sentiments nearly allied to those he had enter-
tained during the illness of his sister, that he awaited the
issue of the crisis. He had no doubt, however, that it
would prove fatal. In vain he watched for another inter-
val of sanity: days passed over, and Charles’s sufferings
did not diminish ; on the contrary, his fever seemed to
become more and more violent, and his delirious expres-
sions were assuming a character more sombre, and withal
were indicativé of deep seated remorse. He no longer
evinced that restless fretfulness which in the first days of
his sickness he had manifested. He appeared to be plunged
in the profoundest despair; and this was more alarming to
Philip than the intensity of his fever.

Truly terrible was it to behold a fellow being on the