The Rosery Folk Part 40

"No," he said shortly; "not to-night."

"Do you know what agitated my nephew so much?"

"Yes," said the doctor; "but I am not at liberty to tell you."

"I will not press you," said Aunt Sophia gravely. "Lady Scarlett is with him now."

She walked away; and after making sure that he would not be wanted, as has been said, Scales sought his room.

The night pa.s.sed quietly enough; and in good time the doctor rose to take his morning walk about the grounds, when, as he returned, towards eight o'clock, he heard the grating of wheels upon the gravel, and saw the dogcart driven up to the door. He involuntarily drew back and stayed amongst the shrubs, just as Prayle came out quickly, with his coat over his arm, and thin umbrella in hand. His little portmanteau was handed in by the servant, and at a word, the groom drove off.

"Thank goodness!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the doctor. "We've seen the last of him, I hope; and as to that woman--Pah! What brazen effrontery!" This was consequent upon seeing Prayle turn slightly in his place and look back at the end of the house, where, from a staircase window, a hand appeared, and a kerchief was for a moment waved.

Prayle, however, made no sign, and the doctor went in.

"I can't help people's emotions," he said to himself. "I have to quell all mine and be matter-of-fact. Consequently, hunger has an opportunity to develop itself, and I want my breakfast as at any other time."

There was no one in the breakfast-room when he entered; but in a few minutes Naomi came down, looking rather pale and troubled; and soon after Miss Raleigh appeared with a very solemn, stern countenance, which relaxed, however, as she laid her hand in that of the young doctor.

"You have not seen James this morning, of course?"

"No," he replied.

"Ah! You will be glad to hear that he has had a better night. So Kate tells me."

"Then he has forgiven her," said the doctor to himself. "Well, I could not. It is Christian-like, though; and I suppose they will separate quietly."

Just then, Lady Scarlett entered the room, looking very pale and red-eyed, as if from weeping. She went up to Aunt Sophia and kissed her, the kiss being coldly received; paid the same attention to Naomi; and then held out her hand to the doctor. He hesitated for a moment, and then, from force of habit more than anything else, he took a couple of steps forward and shook hands in a cold limp fas.h.i.+on, astounded at the fact that Lady Scarlett raised her eyes to his with a frank ingenuous look of pain.

"As much like that of a sweet innocent girl as I ever saw," he thought, as he took his place.

The meal was not a sociable one, for everybody seemed awkward and constrained, and it pa.s.sed off almost in silence; while, when soon after it was ended, the doctor asked if he might go up to Scarlett's room, there was a look almost of reproach in Lady Scarlett's eyes as she said: "O yes; of course."

For some time past it had been Scarlett's habit to stay in his room till mid-day. He dressed at eight, and then lay down again in a heavy, dreamy way, to lie moodily thinking; but this time the doctor found him fast asleep, looking very calm and peaceful, as his breath came regularly, and there was a slight flush upon his haggard face.

"Poor fellow!" thought the doctor, "How wretchedly thin he has grown. I was afraid the encounter last night would have been too much for him; but it almost seems as if he is better, now he knows the worst."

As he stood watching him, he heard Lady Scarlett pa.s.s, on her way to her own room; but she seemed to change her mind, came lightly back, and opened the door softly.

"He is asleep," said the doctor sternly; and she at once withdrew, leaving Scales at his post, from which he did not stir till luncheon-time, when he went down.

Lady Scarlett had been twice to the door, to look in with wistful eyes; but each time she had been forbidden to enter, as the patient was not to be awakened at any cost; so the anxious woman went patiently away to wait, for she never even dreamed of resisting the medical man's command.

Sleep seemed to have so thoroughly taken possession of James Scarlett, that he remained under its influence hour after hour; and when Lady Scarlett timidly asked if it was right, she received the same answer-- that under the circ.u.mstances nothing could be better--and went away content.

It was quite evening when Scarlett awoke to find the doctor sitting reading by his bed. "Why, Jack!" he cried, rather excitedly, "am I--am I--worse?"

"My dear fellow, no; I hope not."

"No; of course not. I'm--I must be--Thank G.o.d!" he sighed fervently; "what a restful, grateful sleep.--Where's Kate?"

"She has been here several times, but I would not have you disturbed."

"Bless her!" said Scarlett softly. "Jack you are my one friend, the only one to whom I ever opened my heart, I trust you, Jack, with everything."

"My dear old boy," said the doctor warmly, grasping his hands, "I hope I deserve it. Heaven knows, I try."

"You do deserve it, Jack. I can never repay you for hat you've done for me."

"Tchah, man, stuff! Why, I owe you a debt for letting me try to cure you."

"Now let me be more in your debt, Jack," said Scarlett.

"As much as you like, old fellow. I'll do all I can."

Scarlett paused, and his face flushed almost feverishly as he gazed earnestly at his friend. At last he spoke. "I have been weak-- unstrung; and that, made me what I was, Jack," he said piteously. "You saw the weak side of my character last night. I had hidden it so well before; but when you came to me then, I was half mad, and--well, I need not confess--you must have seen the turn my thoughts took. You don't wish me to degrade myself again--to make confession?"

"No, no--say nothing," said Scales quietly. "My dear old fellow, believe me, I am your friend."

"You are, Jack; you are more--my very brother at heart; and if you ever think again of my cruel sacrilegious doubts, set them down as a sick man's fancies, and then bury them for ever. And--Jack, old friend--let last night's outburst be a thing that's dead."

"I promise you, Scarlett, upon my word."

"Thanks, Jack, thanks! I s.h.i.+ver when I think of it. If Kate knew, it would break her heart."

The doctor was silent.

"When I came back with my brain reeling, I was drunk with a great joy.

You know what I had fancied. O Jack! if I could forgive myself!--but I never can."

"You are growing excited. You must be quiet, now."

"Excited, man? Oh, it is only with my happiness. That accursed idea, born of my nervous state, was eating my very life away; while now that I know that it was but the foul emanation of my own brain, I can scarcely contain myself, and I seem to have leaped back to health and strength."

Scales did not speak.

"But I am forgetting.--Good heavens! I have slept away the day, and the night is here. That wretched girl!"

The doctor gazed at him fixedly, asking himself if his friend's brain was wandering.

"She promised to meet him--at some station--in London--to-night. Jack, it must be stopped before it is too late.--Where is that scoundrel Prayle?"

"He left this morning, early, to catch the train."

"And I've lain here as if in a stupor--Quick, Jack--my wife--no, poor girl, she must not be troubled with this; she has borne enough. Ring for--No; fetch my aunt. Yes; she will be the best. Go, old fellow, quick!"

"Is he wandering, or am I a fool?" muttered the doctor, as he hurried from the room to encounter Lady Scarlett on the stairs. "He is worse!"

she cried. "No, no," said the doctor, almost roughly. "Not yet. You must not go, Lady Scarlett. I forbid it."