“Oh, Neil, you have made me so happy,” she cried ecstatically. Then, changing her manner directly, “But he’s coming to-night.”
“Well, what of that? You must be cool to him.”
“But he does not mind that, and Aunt is sure to arrange to leave us alone. I know she has planned it all with him.”
“Ah!”
“Yes, I am sure of it; and if you would watch for me, and as soon as Aunt has left us alone come and put a stop to it by staying with me, I should be so grateful.”
“What a duty for a surgeon, Bel!”
“It is to heal a sore heart, Neil,” she said, smiling through her tears.
“Is it, pet? Well, then, I will try what I can do. Some people ought to be made happy in this weary world.”
“But it isn’t a weary world, Neil,” she cried enthusiastically. “It’s a lovely world, and I could be so happy in it, if—”
“Yes, Bel,” he said sadly; “and I could be so happy in it too, if—”