288
DUTY AND INCLINATION.
In this state he was fortunately seen by his servant, who, having been appointed to attend him in Portland Place, at that moment drew up with his curricle. Scarcely conscious of what he did, he ascended the vehicle, seized the reins, and giving his horses free action, brandishing his whip in air, he drove through the streets with the most furious rapidity, till at last coming in contact with another vehicle, the carriage was overturned, and shattered in its fall.
Receiving, himself, but slight injury, the accident might be esteemed more fortunate than otherwise; for, in changing the impetuous current of his thoughts, he became comparatively himself again.
