Robert Vavasour was silenced; but not so Anne, she came to the rescue at once, rather nettled.
"I am sure, Isabella, I don't care a bit about it; only I thought as Charles was going into Standale,—I suppose to ride home with your husband at night,—he might as well call on Dr. Bernard as not; or leave a message to say he was wanted."
As there was no good reason why he should not, Mrs. Linchmore was obliged to acquiesce, though apparently,—and she did not care to conceal it—with a very bad grace, and without the slightest solicitude expressed for her governess.
"I have managed it for you," said Anne, going out into the hall, where she found Charles striding up and down, impatiently; "such a fight as I have had."
"Never mind about the fight, Anne. Am I to call on Dr. Bernard?"
"Yes."
The word was scarcely spoken, ere to Anne's astonishment, he had caught her in his arms, and kissed her.
"You're a dear good girl, Anne," he said, "I swear there's nothing I wouldn't do for you!"
"How rough you are, cousin!" exclaimed Anne, struggling from his hasty embrace. "I'll do nothing for you, if this is the style I am to be rewarded with. It may be all very well for you, but I don't like it."
"Here's another then," laughed Charles, "and now for Dr. Bernard, I suppose he's the best medical man in the place?"