"That is good news indeed," Carleigh rejoined. "And now there is a favor I have to ask. I really think that I should be allowed to see her."
The doctor pursed his lips and his eyes shot a question through his glasses.
"I am deeply interested in her," the young man went on, "and I believe she would wish it, if you let her know."
His effort was to speak in exactly the right tone, all things considered. Yet he was wofully uncertain as to just what were the things he had to consider.
"I will ask her, of course," returned Dodson. "But I must warn you in advance, Sir Caryll, that Mrs. Darling does not care to see any one. Aside from the severe shock, she is at present, you know, so very badly disfigured."
Caryll experienced a deathlike sinking at his heart. Until this minute he had barely considered this matter of disfigurement. He just couldn't believe it—couldn't realize it as a possibility.
"How—" he began, and stopped short.
"One side of her face is very badly burned," said the doctor.
A man doesn't like to hear such things about a woman for whom he has just confessed an attachment. It took a brief moment for Carleigh to collect himself. Then: "Beg her to see me, please," he asked a little stiffly.
He saw the physician go, but he had very little hope. It was hardly possible that she would accede to his plea.