On the Saturday
they were to have had a day's shooting, and then to have dined at
Erymanth, but Harold sent over in the morning to say he had a
headache and could not come, so Dermot went alone. When the Yollands
came home at nine at night a message was given that Mr. Alison would
like to see Mr. George as soon as he came in; but as the train had
been an hour late, and the message had not been delivered immediately
on their coming in, George thought it could not concern that night,
so he waited till morning; but he was awaked in the winter twilight
by Harold at his door, saying, "Doctor, I'm not quite right. I wish
you would come up presently and see after me."
He was gone again, while he was being called to wait; and, dressing
as fast as possible, George Yolland went out after him into the dark,
cold, frosty, foggy morning, and overtook him, leaning on the gate of
a field, shivering, panting, and so dizzy, that it was with
difficulty he was helped to the house. He made known that he had
felt very unwell all the day before, and had had a miserable night,
in which all the warnings about infection had returned on him. The
desire to keep clear of all whom he might endanger, as well as a
fevered--perhaps already half-delirious--longing for cool air, had
sent him forth himself to summon George Yolland. And already strong
shivering fits and increased distress showed what fatal mischief that
cold walk had done.
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