Nurse Elisia Part 26

"And yours, I am sure," he said, nodding meaningly as he reached the window and pa.s.sed out.

"I hope I've done right," said Aunt Anne; "but Ralph is so strange, he may find fault. I'll go up and talk to him, and gradually introduce the subject."

Her countenance brightened, as she thought of this way out of a difficulty, and rising and smoothing her stiff silk dress, whose rustling she liked to hear, she went out into the hall, and began slowly to ascend the stairs.

"It is very trying to me," she said to herself. "Isabel does not seem to care for him a bit; and as to the two Lydon girls, really if any gentleman had behaved so cavalierly to me as Neil and Alison do to them, I certainly should not have put up with it." She paused for awhile rather breathlessly at the top of the stairs, and then went on to her brother's room and turned the handle, but the door was evidently bolted inside.

For the moment she seemed surprised, but she went on toward the next door, that of the dressing room attached, but, as she reached it, this door was opened, and the nurse appeared, to step out into the corridor, and close the door behind her.

"Did you try the other door, ma'am?" she said softly.

"Yes; it is bolted. Never mind; I'll go through here."

"Not now, ma'am," said the nurse quickly, and in a voice hardly above a whisper; but there was plenty of decision in her tones.

"Not now?" said Aunt Anne haughtily. "My good woman, what do you mean?"

"Mr Elthorne has dropped asleep, ma'am."

"Well, I'll go in and sit with him till he wakes."

"Excuse me, madam," said Nurse Elisia, barring the way; "he must not be disturbed."

"My good woman!" cried Aunt Anne again, ruffling up at anyone daring to interfere with her in that house, "I am not going to disturb him.

Surely I know perfectly how to behave to a sick person."

"Of course, ma'am," said the nurse quietly, "and I am sorry to have to interfere."

"As you should be," said Aunt Anne tartly. "Have the goodness to stand on one side."

"I beg your pardon, madam," said the nurse gently, "you are placing me in a very awkward position, and I grieve to oppose you in your wishes, but I must obey my instruction from Mr Neil Elthorne. They were that I was to particularly guard against the patient's being disturbed when he was asleep."

"And very proper instructions too; but say Mr Elthorne, Nurse Elisia, and not `the patient.' This is not a hospital."

The nurse bowed.

"I am sure my nephew did not intend that such instructions as these were to apply to me."

"To everybody, madam. Sleep is of such vital importance to the--Mr Elthorne in his present state, and he has so much difficulty in obtaining rest, especially at night, that even an hour's natural sleep is most desirable."

"Well, of course, I understand all that," said Aunt Anne, "and I shall take care that I do not make a sound."

She stepped forward, but the nurse did not stir.

"Will you have the goodness to move," said Aunt Anne, in the most frigid of tones.

"Pray forgive me, madam. I must carry out my orders."

"I have told you, my good woman, that they do not apply to me. Will you be good enough to stand aside?"

A faint colour appeared in the nurse's cheeks, but she did not move.

"Did you hear what I said?" cried Aunt Anne haughtily.

"Yes, madam, and again I ask your pardon," said the nurse gently.

"Excuse me, pray, but you are placing me in a very painful position."

"Then stand aside," said Aunt Anne, who was growing very red in the face, consequent on being opposed. "Do you hear me, woman?"

"Yes, madam, but I must obey Mr Elthorne. A nurse dare not depart from the doctor's instructions. Even a slight lapse might mean a serious injury to the patient in her charge."

"I will take all the responsibility," said Aunt Anne haughtily. "Have the goodness to allow me to pa.s.s."

Nurse Elisia's eyes dropped, and there was a faint twitching at the corners of her eyes, but she did not stir.

"Are you aware that the mistress of this household is speaking to you?"

"Hush, madam, pray!"

"Oh, it is insufferable," cried Aunt Anne, whose anger was rising fast, when she saw a quick, eager look of satisfaction animate the pale set face before her, and at that moment a familiar voice said in a low tone:

"What is the matter, Aunt?"

"Ah, my dear," she cried; "you are there. I am glad. I declare it is insufferable. I was going in to sit by your father and talk to him."

"I told Mrs Barnett, sir, that Mr Elthorne was asleep."

"Yes, my good woman," said Aunt Anne, "and I told you I should go in and sit with him till he awoke. And, then, really it is insufferable for a hired servant to take so much upon herself."

"As what, Aunt?" said Neil, in a low, stern voice, "as to refuse to allow you to go in?"

"Yes, my dear. I can put up with a great deal, but I think it is quite time that the nurse knew that this is not a hospital ward, and that she is not mistress here."

"Nurse Elisia is quite aware of that," said Neil coldly; and his lips quivered slightly, as he saw that in spite of her apparent immobility, she was watching him curiously as if wondering what he would say; but he went on in the same cold, pa.s.sionless way, "It is not a question of mistress or hired servant, but of care of my patient's progress toward recovery. I gave instructions that my father should never be in the slightest degree disturbed when he dropped into a natural sleep, and the nurse has done her duty and nothing more. Come away now, please, and you will see this in the proper light, if you will give it a moment's thought."

Aunt Anne gave her hands a kind of wave as if she were smoothing out a cloth over a table, and turning suddenly, walked with stately strides toward the head of the stairs, followed by her nephew, who did not even glance at Nurse Elisia, neither did he speak again till the drawing room was reached.

"The nurse was quite right, Aunt," he said quietly. "You must see that an attendant who did not carry out one's instructions to the letter would be untrustworthy."

"Pray say no more about it, Neil," she replied, with a great show of dignity. "I suppose I am growing old and useless. But there was a time when my opinion was of value in a sick chamber."

"Yes, of course, my dear Aunt, but this is a case where the patient must be kept perfectly quiet."

"Yes, that is it, Neil. You have become so absorbed in your studies as a surgeon that you seem to forget that my poor dear brother is your father."

"Nonsense, Aunt, dear."

"Oh, no, sir, it is the truth. I suppose I shall be looked upon as a patient next."