Esther sank down into the nearest chair.
"You speak cruel words now and then, father," she said. "Who talks of dying? He won't die. If it comes to that, or any chance of it, I'll come back and nurse him to life again."
"Essie, you think a sight of that young man."
"Well, I do. I'm not going to deny it. I'm going upstairs to see him now."
CHAPTER XLIV.
AT THE SOUND OF THE CLOCK.
She left the room, tripping lightly upstairs in her neat nurse's dress. When she got to Wyndham's door and knocked gently for admission her heart, however, was beating so wildly that she feared he might notice it.
"Come in," said his voice; she entered.
He was lying back in his easy-chair. When he saw Esther he took off the soft hat which he always wore in Cherry's presence, and greeted her with that brightness in his eyes which was the greatest reward he could possibly offer her.