‘Oh, this is unbearable! You are past all reason!’ cried Mrs Courtney impatiently. ‘Here, Jessica, help me off with her ladyship’s things, and let us put her into bed.’
She pulled off the various garments of cambric and lace, almost roughly, in her indignation at her daughter’s weakness; and having seen Maraquita laid in bed, she left her in her old nurse’s care, whilst she went to ask the doctor for a sleeping draught.
Jessica had been installed at Government House as she had desired, and her wages had been raised to nearly double their former sum. Lady Russell had felt uncomfortable at first to remember that there was some one beside her who knew all about her maiden life, but in her present extremity she turned to her old servant with a feeling of security that she need hide nothing from her. As her mother left the room, she moved on her pillow with a heavy sigh, and laid her little white hand in Jessica’s dark palm. The negro nature, if vindictive and revengeful under injustice, is also very affectionate and easily conciliated. This caressing action on Maraquita’s part touched her old nurse’s heart. It was some time since her little missy had shown any token of love for her, and it won her over on the instant to her side.
‘Jessica,’ sighed Quita, ‘I’m very unhappy.’
‘I know you is, poor missy,’ responded the negress. ‘You’se feelin’ berry bad to-night. And, sakes! it’s no wonder. But it’ll be all right bime-by, missy.’
‘I loved him, Jessica, very much,’ continued her young mistress. ‘You knew all about us, and how I used to slip out when everybody was asleep, and go to meet him in the Oleander thicket.’
‘Ah, yes, missy, Jessica knew. Many’s the night I’ve sot up, and watched and waited for you to come back; but it was generally daylight before you came. Ah! you used to love de oberseer in dose days, Missy Quita, pretty strong.’
‘And I love him still, Nurse! I can’t help it!’ cried Quita feverishly, as she sat up in bed, with her dark hair floating about her, and stared at the negress with dilated eyes. ‘I have loved him all along; and if they kill him, they will kill me too.’
‘No, no, missy; Governor not killing Massa Courcelles. Only keep him in prison little while, and den let him go free. Lie down, missy, and go sleep. All right bime-by.’
‘But I want to see him!’ exclaimed Quita excitedly. ‘I want to hear everything they are going to do to him; and I want to ask his forgiveness for having married Sir Russell. I must see him, Jessica. I shall go mad if I don’t.’