Christopher heard the sigh; and pressed her arm, and said, “Courage, love, I hope to see you among them yet.”
“The sooner the better,” said she, a little hardly.
“And, meantime, which of them all is as beautiful as you?”
“All I know is, they are more attractive. Who looks at me, walking tamely by?”
Christopher said nothing: but these words seemed to imply a thirst for admiration, and made him a little uneasy.
By and by the walk put the swift-changing Rosa in spirits, and she began to chat gayly, and hung prattling and beaming on her husband's arm, when they entered Curzon Street. Here, however, occurred an incident, trifling in itself, but unpleasant. Dr. Staines saw one of his best Kentish patients get feebly out of his carriage, and call on Dr. Barr. He started, and stopped. Rosa asked what was the matter. He told her. She said, “We ARE unfortunate.”
Staines said nothing; he only quickened his pace; but he was greatly disturbed. She expected him to complain that she had dragged him out, and lost him that first chance. But he said nothing. When they got home, he asked the servant had anybody called.
“No, Sir.”
“Surely you are mistaken, Jane. A gentleman in a carriage!”
“Not a creature have been since you went out, sir.”