When the sound of his retreating footsteps died away, Mrs. Gerome thrust the key under her pillow, and murmured,—
“I wonder whether this Ulpian can be as true, as trusty, as nobly fearless as his grand old Roman namesake, whom not even the purple of Severus could save from martyrdom? Ah! if Ulpian Grey is really all that he appears. But how dare I hope, much less believe it? Verily, he reminds me of Madame de Chatenay’s description of Joubert, ‘He seems to be a soul that by accident had met with a body, and tried to make the best of it.’”
“Did you speak to me, ma’am?” asked Katie, who was bustling about, preparing to light the lamp.
“No. The room is like a tomb. Open the blinds and loop back all the curtains, so that I can look out.”
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“And the sunset paled, and warmed once more With a softer, tenderer after-glow; In the east was moon-rise, with boats off-shore And sails in the distance drifting slow.” |
CHAPTER XXV.
“Doctor Grey, sister says she wants to see you, before you go to town.”
Jessie Owen came softly up to the table where Dr. Grey sat writing, and stood with her hand on his knee.