The chambermaid would have got into sad disgrace if she had been found out; but she was willing to run the risk, as Miss Mordaunt’s gratitude took a substantial form, and, moreover, she was really interested in the lovers.
On one of these occasions Miss Mordaunt had a serious fright. She had scarcely settled herself in the sick-room, and was just measuring out the medicine that Mary had been charged to give the sick man at this time, when she heard Doctor May’s step and voice on the landing below. He was evidently talking to Monsieur Bause, and must have forgotten something, as he had paid his usual midday visit before the nurse had gone to lie down.
The color mounted in a flood to the girl’s delicate face, and her heart beat like a sledge-hammer against her side. A discovery of this sort would necessitate all kinds of painful explanations and humiliating confessions, and she did not know how far Doctor May was to be trusted. But while she stood hesitating, panting, confused, Mary suddenly appeared on the scene, whisked the glass out of her hand, pushed her toward the closet, and, closing the door upon her, locked it softly. There was not even room to stand upright, but Miss Mordaunt was too thankful for her deliverance to take heed of such a trifle.
She crouched down in the easiest position she could find, and listened with all her ears.
“Where is nurse?” inquired Doctor May, as he entered.
“It is nurse’s time for lying down, sir,” answered Mary, in a voice that trembled slightly as from hurry or surprise. “But if you have any orders, sir——”
“I had forgotten to tell her that I did not wish Colonel Dacre to have any more of the medicine I sent yesterday; I will let her have a new bottle in half an hour, and she is to give him a dose of that directly it arrives.”
“Very well, sir.”
“Be sure you don’t make any mistake; or, stop, I’ll take the other bottle away with me, and then it is sure to be all right.”
He made for the cupboard, recollecting that the medicine, etc., was kept on a shelf there, but Mary nervously interposed.