Why should you distrust me? You seem
friendless, and I am myself so much in the same circumstances, that I
cannot but pity your situation when I reflect on my own. Be wise; I
have spoken kindly to you--I mean as kindly as I speak."
"O, I doubt it not, I doubt it not, my lord," said the boy, "and I
could tell you all--that is, almost all."
"Tell me nothing, my young friend, excepting what may assist me in
being useful to you," said Nigel.
"You are generous, my lord," said the boy; "and I am sure--O sure, I
might safely trust to your honour--But yet--but yet--I am so sore
beset--I have been so rash, so unguarded--I can never tell you of my
folly. Besides, I have already told too much to one whose heart I
thought I had moved--yet I find myself here."
"To whom did you make this disclosure?" said Nigel.
"I dare not tell," replied the youth.
"There is something singular about you, my young friend," said Lord
Glenvarloch, withdrawing with a gentle degree of compulsion the hand
with which the boy had again covered his eyes; "do not pain yourself
with thinking on your situation just at present--your pulse is high,
and your hand feverish--lay yourself on yonder pallet, and try to
compose yourself to sleep. It is the readiest and best remedy for the
fancies with which you are worrying yourself."
"I thank you for your considerate kindness, my lord," said the boy;
"with your leave I will remain for a little space quiet in this chair-
-I am better thus than on the couch.
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