Yes, said Claude gravely, as she metaphorically put on her maiden mask of prudery; and you know now that it was very, very thoughtless of you.
Thoughtless! said Mary, looking up with a quick look, half-troubled, half-amused; didnt I think too much?
Dont talk, Mary, said Claude primly. You may disturb poor papa. It was very wicked and meddlesome and weak, and you dont know what harm you have done.
Mary Dillons face was flushed and tear-stained, and her eyes looked red and troubled; but she darted a glance at her cousin so full of mischievous drollery, that Claudes colour deepened, and she turned away troubled, and totally unable to continue the strain of reproof.
She was spared further trouble by a cough heard in the hall.
Wipe your eyes quickly, Mary, she whispered; here is Doctor Asher at last.
Mary jumped up, and stepped to the window, where she was half hidden by the curtains, as there was a gentle tap at the door, the handle was turned, and the doctor, looking darker and more stern than ever, entered the room.
He whisperingly asked how his patient had been, as he went down on one knee by the mattress, made a short examination, and turned to Claude, who, with parted lips, was watching him anxiously.
You think him worse? she whispered.
Indeed I do not, he said quickly. Nothing could be better. He will sleep heavily for a long time.
But did you notice his heavy breathing?
Of course I did, said the doctor rising, and you have no cause for alarm. Ah, Miss Mary, I did not see you at first.
Dont deceive me, Doctor Asher, said Claude, in agonised tones; tell me the worst.
There is no worse to tell you, my dear child. I dare say your father will be well enough to sit up to-morrow.
Thank heaven! said Claude to herself. Then, turning to the doctor: How is poor Isaac Woodham?
Dont ask me.
How dreadful!
Yes; it was a terrible accident.
But is there no hope?
You asked me not to deceive you, said the doctor gravely. None at all.
Just then the sick man moaned slightly in his sleep, and made an uneasy movement which took his daughter back to his side.
Dont be alarmed, my child, said the doctor encouragingly; there is nothing to fear.
But I am alarmed, said Claude; and I look forward with horror to the long night when I am alone with him.
You are going to sit up with him?
Of course.
Divide the night with your cousin.
Yes but
Well what is it?
Oh, Doctor Asher, dont leave him. Pray, pray, stay here.
But I have to go and see that poor fellow twice during the night.
I had forgotten him, sighed Claude. Couldnt you stop here, and go and see
an easy chair, selected a cigar, which he lit, and then threw himself back and sipped his coffee and smoked.
Yes, sweet little girl Claude, he thought; make a man a good wife good rich wife, and if no, no, not the slightest chance for me, and Ill go on as I am, and make the best of it.
He had another sip.
Delicious coffee, fine cigar. Worse things than being a doctor. We get as much insight of family matters as the parsons, and are trusted with more secrets.
He laughed to himself as he lay back.
Yes, nice little heiress, Claude, he said again. Wonder wholl get her Christopher the salmon fisher, or our new yachting friend? I think I should back Glyddyr.
He smoked on, and thought seriously for some time about his other patient, and after a time he emitted a cloud of smoke which he had retained in his mouth, as he turned himself with a jerk from one side of his great easy chair to the other.
No, he said, impossible to have done more. The Royal College of Surgeons couldnt save him.
He smoked on in silence, sipping his coffee from time to time, gazing the while at Gartram, upon whom the light shone faintly, just sufficient to show his stern-looking, deeply-marked face.
Yours is a good head, my dear patient, he mused. Well-cut features, and a look of firm determination in your aspect, even when your eyes are closed. You miss something there, for you have keen, piercing eyes, but for all that you look like what you are, a stubborn, determined Englishman, who will have his own way over everything so long as his works will make him go. When they run down, he comes to me for help, and I am helping him. Yes, you were sure to get on and heap up money, and build grand houses, and slap your pocket-book and say: I am a rich man, and I laugh at and deride the whole world, and so you do, my dear sir, all but the doctor, who, once he has you, has you all his life, and can do what he likes with you. I have you hard, Norman Gartram, and I am licenced; I have you completely under me, and so greatly am I in possession of you, that I could this night say to you die, and you would die; or I could bid you live, and you would live. A simple giving or a simple taking. A movement with the tactus eruditus of a physician, and then the flag would be down, the King of the Castle would be gone, and a new king would reign in the stead or queen, he added, with a laugh.
Ah, you people trust us a great deal, and we in return trust you a very long time often before we can get paid. Not you, my dear Gartram, you always were a hard cash man. But you people trust us a great deal, and our power is great.