"A complete rest is what you need," he said to Miss Randolph. "I think you should keep to your bed as much as possible, and I will give you a tonic. Naturally you suffer from the terrible circumstances of Sir Simon's death." He thought a moment and then continued, "A cheerful companion would do you good. Shall I ask Miss Malleson to come over."
"Is she cheerful?" asked Lucy languidly. "I fear not, doctor. She was engaged to my cousin, and his death has made her sad."
"Probably, but she bears up wonderfully. But that she is in mourning one would hardly guess she had sustained such a loss. Was she very much attached to Mr. Gore?"
"Yes. I never saw a more attached couple. Did you ever meet him?"
"Once at Miss Plantagenet's. You know I am great friends with the old lady. I often visit her, not professionally, for she is as healthy as a trout in a pond."
"Is Alice—Miss Malleson also well?"
"In very good health, and appears resigned to her loss."
"I should have thought she would have felt it more," said Lucy, perplexed. "Alice has such a tender heart."
Dr. Payne was doubtful. So far as he saw, Miss Malleson was remarkably cheerful under her sorrow. "She is philosophic, Miss Randolph, and that is wise. I think, however, if you would have her over to see you, it would do both her and yourself good."
"I shall write a note to her to-day," said Lucy. "I am very fond of her, and we get on very well together. Poor Alice. I wish Bernard had lived, so that he could have married her."