It seemed useless to his usually inert mind, and he was about to
abandon himself again to the jaws of despair, when a new thought
suggested itself. Fired with the inspiration of the new idea, he
impulsively proceeded to carry it into execution. By the side of the
wall, with vigorous strokes, he commenced digging, with the intention of
undermining it. Without a thought of his enfeebled body, he plied the
shovel with the energy of desperation. Instead of making a calm
calculation, and proceeding with such an economy of strength as would
enable him to complete the work, he labored as though the task before
him could be easily and quickly accomplished.
His wife, somewhat revived by the draught she had taken, penetrated the
purpose of her husband; but she saw that his strength must entirely fail
him ere the work could be accomplished.
"You must husband your strength, Francois," said she; "rest a little."
"The hope of deliverance is too strong to let me sacrifice another
moment in idleness," replied Dalhousie, without ceasing from his labors.
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