CHAPTER XXVII
THE OLD GARRET
Days, and weeks, and months, passed away, and Martin had searched everynook and corner of the great sea-port without discovering his old aunt,or obtaining the slightest information regarding her. At first he andBarney went about the search together, but after a time he sent his oldcompanion forcibly away to visit his own relatives, who dwelt not farfrom Bilton, at the same time promising that if he had any good news totell he would immediately write and let him know.
One morning, as Martin was sitting beside the little fire in his lodging,a tap came to the door, and the servant girl told him that a policemanwished to see him.
"Show him in," said Martin, who was not in the least surprised, for hehad had much intercourse with these guardians of the public peace duringthe course of his unavailing search.
"I think, sir," said the man on entering, "that we've got scent of an oldwoman w'ich is as like the one that you're arter as hanythink."
Martin rose in haste. "Have you, my man? Are you sure?"
"'Bout as sure as a man can be who never seed her. But it won't take youlong to walk. You'd better come and see for yourself."
Without uttering another word, Martin put on his hat and followed thepoliceman. They passed through several streets and lanes, and at lengthcame to one of the poorest districts of the city, not far distant fromthe shipping. Turning down a narrow alley, and crossing a lowdirty-looking court, Martin's guide stopped before a door, which hepushed open and mounted by a flight of rickety wooden stairs to a garret.He opened the door and entered.
"There she is," said the man in a tone of pity, as he pointed to a cornerof the apartment, "an' I'm afeer'd she's goin' fast."
Martin stepped towards a low truckle-bed on which lay the emaciated formof a woman covered with a scanty and ragged quilt. The corner of it wasdrawn across her face, and so gentle was her breathing that it seemed asif she were already dead. Martin removed the covering, and one glance atthat gentle, care-worn countenance sufficed to convince him that his oldaunt lay before him! His first impulse was to seize her in his strongarms, but another look at the frail and attenuated form caused him toshrink back in fear.
"Leave me," he said, rising hastily and slipping half a sovereign intothe policeman's hand; "this is she. I wish to be alone with her."
The man touched his hat and retired, closing the door behind him; whileMartin, sitting down on the bed, took one of his aunt's thin hands inhis. The action was tenderly performed, but it awoke her. For the firsttime it flashed across Martin's mind that the sudden joy at seeing himmight be too much for one so feeble as Aunt Dorothy seemed to be. Heturned his back hastily to the light, and with a violent effortsuppressed his feelings while he asked how she did.
"Well, very well," said Aunt Dorothy, in a faint voice. "Are you themissionary that was here long ago? Oh! I've been longing for you. Why didyou not come to read to me oftener about Jesus? But I have had Him herealthough you did not come. He has been saying 'Come unto me, ye thatlabour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' Yes, I have foundrest in Him." She ceased and seemed to fall asleep again; but in a fewseconds she opened her eyes and said, "Martin, too, has been to see me;but he does not come so often now. The darling boy used always to come tome in my dreams. But he never brings me food. Why does no one ever bringme food? I am hungry."
"Should you like food now, if I brought it to you?" said Martin in alow voice.
"Yes, yes; bring me food,--I am dying."
Martin released her hand and glided gently out of the room. In a fewminutes he returned with a can of warm soup and a roll; of which AuntDorothy partook with an avidity that showed she had been in urgent need.Immediately after, she went to sleep; and Martin sat upon the bed holdingher hand in both of his till she awoke, which she did in an hour after,and again ate a little food. While she was thus engaged the door openedand a young man entered, who stated that he was a doctor, and had beensent there by a policeman.
"There is no hope," he said in a whisper, after feeling her pulse; "thesystem is quite exhausted."
"Doctor," whispered Martin, seizing the young man by the arm, "cannothing save her? I have money, and can command _anything_ that may doher good."
The doctor shook his head. "You may give her a little wine. It willstrengthen her for a time, but I fear there is no hope. I will send in abottle if you wish it."
Martin gave him the requisite sum, and in a few minutes the wine wasbrought up by a boy.
The effect of the wine was wonderful. Aunt Dorothy's eyes sparkled asthey used to do in days of old, and she spoke with unwonted energy.
"You are kind to me, young man," she said, looking earnestly intoMartin's face, which, however, he kept carefully in shadow. "May our Lordreward you."
"Would you like me to talk to you of your nephew?" said Martin; "I haveseen him abroad."
"Seen my boy! Is he not dead?"
"No; he is alive, and in this country, too."
Aunt Dorothy turned pale, but did not reply for a few minutes, duringwhich she grasped his hand convulsively.
"Turn your face to the light," she said faintly.
Martin obeyed, and bending over her whispered, "He is here; I am Martin,my dear, dear aunt--"
No expression of surprise escaped from Aunt Dorothy as she folded herarms round his neck and pressed his head upon her bosom. His hot tearsfell upon her neck while she held him, but she spoke not. It was evidentthat as the strength infused by the wine abated her faculties becameconfused. At length she whispered,--
"It is good of you to come to see me, darling boy. You have often come tome in my dreams. But do not leave me so soon; stay a very little longer,"
"This is no dream, dearest aunt," whispered Martin, while his tearsflowed faster; "I am really here."
"Ay, so you always say, my darling child; but you always go away andleave me. This is a dream, no doubt, like all the rest; but oh, it seemsvery very real! You never _wept_ before, although you often smiled.Surely this is the best and brightest dream I ever had!"
Continuing to murmur his name while she clasped him tightly to her bosom,Aunt Dorothy gently fell asleep.