'Wi'oot what?'
'She is in an adjacent apartment.'
'Here?'
'I am going to despatch her to you now,' said Aunt Purdie, enjoying herself thoroughly. 'But mind!—no deleterious excitement!' She rose with a look on her gaunt face which he had never seen before.
'Aunt Purdie,' he whispered, 'did she want to come?'
'My dear nephew, without exaggeration I may say that she fairly jamp—jumped—at my invitation! Well, I'll see you subsequently.'
'God bless ye,' he murmured, and closed his eyes till he felt she had gone from the ward.
He knew when Christina came in, but did not look directly at her till she was beside him. By that time she had controlled the quiver at her mouth. And when he looked he realized that he had no defence whatsoever in the Maggie affair. Nothing was left him but love and regret.
She touched his hand and seated herself. 'I couldna help comin',' she said, smiling. 'Are ye feelin' better?'
'Oh, ay. But I maun tell ye the truth.'