Several days elapsed in languid apathy, the natural reaction of past excitement; then an event occurred which most thoroughly aroused her.
CHAPTER XXXVI
AN APPARITION
Mr. Ludolph had hoped to hear on his return that Dennis was dead. That would end all difficulties. Mr. Schwartz did not know;—he was not at last accounts. Ernst was summoned. With a bright, hopeful face he stated that his mother had just received a letter saying Dennis was a little better. He was much surprised at his employer's heavy frown.
"He will live," mused Mr. Ludolph; "and now shall I permit him to return to my employ, or discharge him?"
His brow contracted in lines of thought that suggested shrewdness, cunning, nothing manly, and warily he judged.
"If I do not take him, he will go to Mr. French with certainty. He had better return, for then both he and Christine will be more thoroughly under my surveillance.
"Curses on Christine's waywardness! There may be no resisting her, and my best chance will be in managing him. This I could not do if he were in the store of my rival;" and so for unconscious Dennis this important question was decided.
At last, as we have said, his delirium ceased, and the quiet light of reason came into his eyes. He looked at his mother and smiled, but was too weak even to reach out his hand.
The doctor, coming in soon after, declared danger past, and that all depended now on good nursing. Little fear of his wanting that!