“You hardly know! On Sunday, you think! My dear boy, what a dreamer you have become! Lucky for you that Saxa is what she is.”
It was hard work for Neil to keep his eyes averted from the nurse. “What will she think?” he said to himself.
The sound of wheels on the drive put an end to the conversation, Neil hurrying out to welcome the great surgeon, who declined all refreshment until after he had heard full particulars of the progress of the case and seen the patient.
“I could not have done differently,” said Sir Denton at last. “You found Nurse Elisia invaluable, of course?”
“Invaluable.”
“Then now let us go up and see him.”
Neil led the way to where Ralph Elthorne lay helpless, but with his eyes gazing keenly at him as they entered.
“Ah, good-morning, Mr Elthorne,” cried Sir Denton cheerily. “Good-morning, nurse. Now, sir, you know why I have come?”
“Yes, my son has told me,” replied the injured man, watching his visitor’s expression. “Well? Am I worse?”
“No, sir; much better. There is no doubt of that. There is a vigour in your manner and speech that is most satisfactory.”