Mattie:-A Stray Volume III Part 26

"In the room beyond there, where the curtain hangs before the door."

"Have you told him that _we_ are here?" asked Mattie.

"Yes, he is very anxious to speak with you both before he is left in Dr.

Bario's hands."

"You are hopeful of good results?" asked Harriet.

"Yes--very hopeful--are not you?" he asked curiously.

"No--I fear the worst."

"You have not considered the matter, Miss Wesden--this has come upon you with the shock of a surprise, and hence the feeling that distresses you.

But I say he shall get better--we have all determined to make an extraordinary case of him."

"Hush, sir!--he is in G.o.d's hands, not yours," said Harriet.

"I beg pardon--of course."

Maurice withdrew, a little downcast at Harriet's reproof; he had a.s.sumed an over-cheerful air to set them at their ease, and they had not understood him. They fancied that he was not anxious, when he felt all a brother's suspense. He had been with Sidney day and night; he had studied Sid's wishes, sought to keep him cheerful, read to him, had wound himself into Sid's heart, and by the act enlarged his own and purified it. The cousins understood each other; all the past had been atoned for now; there was no element of bitterness in the forgiveness which Maurice had sought and Sidney granted.

Maurice was called away, and presently returned with the Italian doctor, to whom he introduced Miss Wesden.

"What is there to fear, sir?" was Harriet's first question.

She had heard all from Mattie, but was not satisfied until all had been told her again from the doctor's lips. He still spoke of the chances for and against success.

Presently, and before he had concluded, Mr. Geoffry Hinchford was ushered into the room and introduced to the ladies there.

After a bow of the old-fas.h.i.+oned school, he said--

"This young lady," indicating Mattie, "I have had the pleasure of seeing before. Some years ago, when she thought I had a design to rob a shop in Suffolk Street. Am I right, Miss Gray?"

He spoke in jest, but Mattie responded gravely enough. It was no time for jesting, and she thought that Mr. Geoffry Hinchford's remarks were strangely _mal-apropos_. His manner changed, when he faced Doctor Bario in his turn.

"You most cure this patient, sir, and name your own terms. My son and I will chance your breaking the bank."

"You are good--very," said the pleased doctor, "and I am much obliged."

"We shall have him at his old post, I hope, ladies," said he, veering round to the fair s.e.x again. "A banking-house is his proper sphere--he will rise to greatness with a fair chance. I do not know any man who deserves greatness better--a true man of business--what a contrast to his poor father!"

Maurice had withdrawn, and now returned again.

"He is ready to see the ladies now; keep him up, please, and speak cheerfully of the future--that's right, doctor, I believe?"

"Quite right."

"One at a time. Mattie, he will see you first, he says."

Mattie's heart leaped anew at this; she pa.s.sed beneath the curtain which Maurice Hinchford held above her head, and went through the door to a large room where Sidney was awaiting her. The sun was s.h.i.+ning through the windows upon him--a pale, calm figure, sitting there.

"Mattie," he said.

"Yes--I have come."

The door opened again, and Doctor Bario entered, taking up a position where he could watch his patient's face. There must be nothing calculated to excite his patient now.

Sidney shook hands with Mattie, saying--

"It has come at last--and we shall know the worst or the best in a few minutes."

"You are not nervous of the result?--your pulse beats calmly, Sidney."

"I have steeled my nerves to it--I shall not shrink, and I am hopeful."

"Miss Wesden is here."

"You fetched her hither, Maurice tells me," he answered. "You are not a jealous woman, Mattie."

"Have I a right to be jealous yet, before my mind is made up?" she answered, lightly.

"The month draws on apace--I am looking forward to the future."

"Time," said Doctor Bario, and Mattie withdrew, after a silent pressure of hands, given and returned. Mattie went towards the doctor instead of the door.

"These interviews must tend to excite him--his pulse is less regular than it was, sir."

"I am sorry for it," said Bario, coolly, "but he will have his way--he is one man impetuous in that. He thinks it is better, in _case of anything_!"

Mattie backed from him in horror; did Sid fear the result of the experiment himself now? Harriet was waiting anxiously for her return.

"Be careful," whispered Mattie, as she pa.s.sed in, and Mattie followed her with her wistful eyes. They were a long while together, she thought; longer than was necessary, or Doctor Bario should have allowed. What had Harriet Wesden to say to him?--what would she say in moments like those?

The curtain was drawn back, and Harriet, with flushed cheeks, and tearful eyes, came rapidly towards Mattie.

"What have you said to him?" asked Mattie, almost fiercely.

"What I would have said to him had he been dying--as he will die!--oh!

as he will die, I am sure of it."

"I pray G.o.d not," e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Mattie.

"I asked him if he had forgiven me--if he would believe that when he gave me up I loved him with my whole heart, and looked for no happiness without him."

"You told him that!--you dared to tell him that at such a time!"

"I could not have told him at any other, and he was about to be sacrificed by his own will and these mad relations, who have persuaded him to this! He will die, I am sure of it."