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The unfortunate gentleman is still lying unconscious at his rooms in Park Street; and his medical attendants fear that, even if he recovers his physical strength, the brain will be permanently injured. 'But that was all nonsense! said Mr. Pulvertoft, with a little nervous laugh, 'it wasn't injured a bit, or how could I remember everything so clearly as I do, you know?
I give the story, as far as possible, in the words of its author; and have only to add that it would never have been published here without his full consent and approval. 'My name, said he, 'is Gustavus Pulvertoft. I have no occupation, and six hundred a year. I lived a quiet and contented bachelor until I was twenty-eight, and then I met Diana Chetwynd for the first time.
'What, you are silent still? Then, Mr. Pulvertoft, though I may seem harsh and cruel in saying it, our pleasant intercourse must end we must ride together no more! No more? What would Brutus say to that? I was horrified. 'Miss Gittens, I said in great agitation, 'I entreat you to unsay those words. I I am afraid I could not undertake to accept such a dismissal.
'I I was not thinking of the grey, she returned. 'Dear Mr. Pulvertoft, I must speak frankly a girl has so many things to consider, and I am afraid you have made me forget how wrongly and thoughtlessly I have been behaving of late. I cannot help suspecting that you must have some motive in seeking my society in so so marked a manner. 'Miss Gittens, said I, 'I can disguise nothing: I have.
Pulvertoft, 'before that darkness lifted and revealed me to myself as a strapped and bandaged invalid. But and this is perhaps the most curious part of my narrative almost the first sounds that reached my ears were those of wedding bells; and I knew, without requiring to be told, that they were ringing for Diana's marriage with the Colonel.
'I wish you would let me try his paces some morning, Pulvertoft, struck in a Colonel Cockshott, who was riding with them, and whom I knew slightly: 'I've a notion he would go better on the curb. 'I shall be very happy, I began, when, just in time, I noticed a warning depression in Brutus's ears. The Colonel rode about sixteen stone, and with spurs!
'It's like this, you see, sir, he explained, 'if you get hold of a quiet, steady horse why, you won't come to no harm; but if you go out on an animal that will take advantage of you, Mr. Pulvertoft, why, you'll be all no-how on him, sir.
'I mean, I added hastily, 'I should have been only, to tell you the truth, I couldn't conscientiously trust any one on him but myself. 'My dear fellow! said the Colonel, who I could see was offended, 'I've not met many horses in my time that I couldn't get upon terms with. 'I think Mr. Pulvertoft is quite right, said Diana.
'Why, when you come here first, Mr. Pulvertoft, sir, you were like a pair o' tongs on a wall, as they say; whereas now well, you can tell yourself how you are, he would say; though, even then, I occasionally had reason to regret that I was not on a wall.
Surely, after that, you will not insist! She sighed. 'I am a weak, foolish girl, she said; 'you are only too able to overcome my judgment. There, Mr. Pulvertoft, look happy again I relent. You may stay if you will!
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