Patty remained over night, for Mrs. Van Reypen was feverish and too nervous and worried about herself to be left to the care of servants. Late in the evening, however, she became quieter, and begged Patty to leave her to herself for a time, and go downstairs and sit with Philip and cheer up the poor boy.
So, having made the sick lady as comfortable as she could, Patty ran downstairs for a while.
She was garbed in a boudoir robe of Mrs. Van Reypen’s. She had discarded her street gown as being out of place in the sick room, and had rummaged in her hostess’ wardrobe until she selected one of the many house gowns and negligées that hung there.
It was utterly inappropriate for the girl, being made of purple silk, with a wide berthé of Duchess lace. But it made Patty look very quaint and sweet,—like a maid of olden time. She had twisted her curls up high, and added a large carved ivory comb, from the dressing table.
“The Puritan Maiden, Priscilla,” she had said, laughingly as she pirouetted before her hostess.
“A very fetching garb,” remarked the old lady. “You may have it to keep. You can use it in your amateur theatricals, or such dressings up, and the berthé is of valuable old lace.”
Patty thanked her kind friend, but to tell the truth, she was so accustomed to receiving gifts from Mrs. Van Reypen that one more was but as a drop in the bucket.
So, on being dismissed from the sick room, Patty ran lightly downstairs, and into the library. Only a shaded table light was turned on, and in the glow of the firelight Philip sat, in an easy chair, smoking. When he heard Patty enter, he threw his cigar in the fire, and holding out his arm, he drew her down to the broad tufted arm of the great chair he sat in.
“How goes it upstairs?” he asked, casually.
“Not very well,” said Patty, soberly. “I don’t want to be a ‘calamity howler,’ but I think Lady Van is more ill than she knows. This grip is a treacherous thing, and liable to take sudden turns for the worse. And, too, she is not as young as she once was, and so, Philip, I want you to take all precautions. I will look after her tonight, but tomorrow you must get a nurse.”