She came instantly. Before the earl had time even to look at her, Donal asked her to get his lordship’s bed ready:—if she would not mind doing it herself, he said, he would help her: he must see his lordship to bed.
She looked a whole book at him, but said nothing. Donal returned her gaze with one of quiet confidence, and she understood it. What it said was, “I know what I am doing, mistress Brookes. My lady must not turn him out. I will take care of him.”
“What are you two whispering at there?” cried the earl. “Here am I at the point of death, and you will not even let me go to bed!”
“Your room will be ready in a few minutes, my lord,” said Mrs. Brookes; and she and Donal went to work in earnest, but with the door open between the rooms.
When it was ready,
“Now, my lord,” said Donal, “will you come?”
“When you are gone. I will have none of your cursed help!”
“My lord, I am not going to leave you.”
With much grumbling, and a very ill grace, his lordship submitted, and Donal got him to bed.
“Now put that cabinet by me on the table,” he said.