"Can't see me! Why, that's impossible. She knows perfectly well that I was to return to-day!"
"She's said nothing about it to me, if she does. At any rate, she's in no condition to see anybody, and I must ask you to leave."
"Would you mind telling her that I'm here?" I said.
"I'll speak to her, if you like, though I don't particularly care to disturb her at present. Wait a moment, and I'll see how she is."
He shut the door and, I think, locked it. I waited on the step, hoping for a sight of Leah, and trying to make up my mind what to do if I were refused admittance. I might attempt to enter by force, but, with the doctor there, I could not possibly put my project into action. He finally reappeared with a long face.
"Miss Fielding begs to be excused," he announced.
"It's most extraordinary; I must insist on seeing her!" I cried.
"You certainly don't wish to force yourself in where you're not wanted?" he insinuated.
"If I were sure I wasn't wanted, no. But I don't believe you took my message in to her at all."
"I'll accept that insult, Mr. Castle, and we'll settle it at some other time. Just now, I must ask you to leave immediately. You may happen to recall what I told you the last time we met. As Miss Fielding's fiancé it is not only my right but my duty to see that you go."