“I am too happy to be tired,” she said confidently. Nevertheless, when Doctor May was gone, and there was silence in the sick-room, she began to feel drowsy, and presently she was locked in slumber as soft as it was light.
When once Colonel Dacre had taken a turn for the better he mended very fast. But then he was so patient and good, and took his medicine without so much as a wry face. He wanted to get well quickly, for his special license was ready, and he had a notion that Lady Gwendolyn could hardly deny him now. But not a word did he say on the subject, for fear of scaring her away; and she just drifted along with the tide, hardly caring where it landed her, so that it was close to Lawrence Dacre.
One afternoon she had gone out to do some commission, and as she was stepping out of the shop, she found herself suddenly face to face with her sister-in-law, Lady Teignmouth. Pauline held out her hand with an embarrassed smile.
“I declare, it is you, Gwen! What are you doing in town at such a dreadful time of the year?”
“You forget that I might contaminate you,” answered Lady Gwendolyn, refusing the proffered hand, and standing up very straight. “It is a great pity you spoke to me, Pauline, because I know how careful you are never to conceal the slightest thing from my brother, and he will be very angry.”
Pauline laughed—the hollow, artificial laugh that always grated upon Lady Gwendolyn’s nerves.
“Don’t be so very absurd! No woman, with a grain of sense, makes a confidant of her husband. Besides, Reggie is quite coming round, Gwen; he is, indeed!”
“Very kind of him, I am sure,” replied her sister-in-law, with a bitter smile. “Do you know, I feel quite grateful.”
Lady Teignmouth walked along at her side, and lowered her voice to say:
“I dare say you do feel annoyed about it all; but it really was best he should take it as he did, and I have been a perfect model of discretion ever since. Reggie and I get on charmingly nowadays; and just think what a scandal it would have created, supposing we had separated!”