“Is—it—possible?” murmured the lady, passing her hand dreamily over her forehead.
“It is true. And now, dearest, though I would much rather pass the whole day beside your bed, I must call your nurse and let you rest. You must not be disturbed again to-day,” said Abel Force, as he stooped and kissed her.
She put out her arms and drew his head down again and returned his kiss, murmuring:
“Bless you, Abel! Bless you! Bless you!”
Then she released him, and he went softly to the door and opened it.
Mrs. Winder, the sick nurse, was sitting on a chair a few feet off. She arose and met the squire, saying, reproachfully:
“You have stayed too long, sir! The doctor expressly said that no one must talk to my patient for more than five minutes, and you have stayed half an hour, at least. It is very wrong, sir, indeed, very wrong—and I should not like to be responsible for the consequences!”
“You must pardon me on this occasion, nurse,” said the squire, good-humoredly. “I hope I have done your patient no harm, and I promise that no one else shall disturb her to-day.”
“No, sir, that they shan’t! I will see to that!” answered the woman, with the despotism of her class.
Mr. Force was too happy to be resentful.