They were talking about Alison, for his father mentioned the young man’s name, and Elisia was evidently listening with attention to his words.
Neil drew back quickly to hide his emotion, for he felt that he could not face them then; but the door clicked as he closed it, and before he was at the head of the stairs it was reopened by Nurse Elisia, who said quickly:
“You need not go back, sir. Mr Elthorne is quite ready to see you.”
He turned once more, and as he gazed sharply in the nurse’s face, he detected a faint flush in her generally pale cheeks and a suffused look in her eyes which strengthened him now in his belief.
“Even my father is working against me,” he thought to himself, as he passed on and took the chair by the side of the couch.
“Yes, boy, my yes,” said his patient with some display of animation, “I certainly am better this morning. Helpless as ever, of course—I am getting resigned to that. I feel more myself, and I shall soon be asking for my invalid chair or a carriage ride.”
“Have them as soon as you can bear them, sir,” said Neil, laying his father’s hand back upon the couch. “Yes, you are decidedly stronger this morning, and I think you can now begin to do without me.”
“Without you, my boy? Yes, I think so, but not without nurse. I am very weak yet, my boy.”
“But that will soon pass off,” said Neil coldly. “You must keep your attendant, of course.”
“Yes. Yes, of course, Neil, of course.”