“They have been a good deal in London of late, have they not?”
“Yes. They say it’s about money of auntie’s. But I don’t understand. I think it’s that grannie wants to make the captain marry her; for they sometimes see him when they go to London.”
CHAPTER XIX.
THE INVALID.
The following day being very fine, I walked to Oldcastle Hall; but I remember well how much slower I was forced to walk than I was willing. I found to my relief that Mrs Oldcastle had not yet returned. I was shown at once to Mr Stoddart’s library. There I found the two ladies in attendance upon him. He was seated by a splendid fire, for the autumn days were now chilly on the shady side, in the most luxurious of easy chairs, with his furred feet buried in the long hair of the hearth-rug. He looked worn and peevish. All the placidity of his countenance had vanished. The smooth expanse of his forehead was drawn into fifty wrinkles, like a sea over which the fretting wind has been blowing all night. Nor was it only suffering that his face expressed. He looked like a man who strongly suspected that he was ill-used.
After salutation,—
“You are well off, Mr Stoddart,” I said, “to have two such nurses.”
“They are very kind,” sighed the patient
“You would recommend Mrs Pearson and Mother Goose instead, would you not, Mr Walton?” said Judy, her gray eyes sparkling with fun.
“Judy, be quiet,” said the invalid, languidly and yet sharply.
Judy reddened and was silent.