“Yes; you can do nothing. No change is likely to take place perhaps for days, and with Miss Van Heldre for nurse and Crampton to act as my help if necessary, there will be plenty of assistance here. What I want most is quiet.”
“Harry, take Louise home,” said the old man quickly.
“And you will go with them, sir.”
“No,” said Vine quietly. “If I lay in my room stricken down, John Van Heldre would not leave me, Knatchbull, and I am not going to leave him. Good-night, my children. Go at once.”
“But Madelaine, father.”
“I shall tell her when she comes down that you were driven away, but I shall send for you to relieve her as soon as I may.”
Louise stifled a sob, and the old doctor took and patted her hand.
“You shall be sent for, my dear, as soon as you can be of use. You are helping me in going. There, good-night.”
A minute later, hanging heavily on her brother’s arm, Louise Vine was walking slowly homeward through the silent night. Her heart was too full for words, and Harry uttered a low hoarse sigh from time to time, his lips never once parting to speak till they reached the house.
To the surprise of both, on entering they were confronted by Aunt Marguerite.