She was too utterly astonished to stop him. But she followed him in, and laid her arresting hand on his arm.
"Mr. Harry--Harry Castlemaine, what do you mean by this? Do you think, sir, I can allow it?"
"I must speak a word or two to Jane," he whispered in her ear, catching up the trumpet of his own accord. "Dear lady, be charitable, and leave me with her just for a minute, On my honour, my stay shall not much exceed that." And, partly through his persuasive voice, and smile, and hands, for he gently forced her to the door, partly in her own anxiety to obey the doctor's injunction of keeping Jane quiet, and wholly because she felt bewildered and helpless, Sister Mildred found herself outside in the corridor again, the door shut behind her.
"My goodness!" cried the perplexed lady to herself. "It's well it's me that's here, and not the younger Sisters."
In two minutes, or little more, he came out again; his hand held forth.
"Thank you, dear Sister Mildred. I thank you from my heart."
"No, I cannot take it," she said, turning pointedly away from his proffered hand.
"Are you so offended that I should have come in!"
"Not at that: though it is wrong. You know why I cannot touch your hand in friendship, Harry Castlemaine."
He stood a moment as though about to reply; but closed his lips without making any. "God bless you, dear lady; you are all very good: I don't know what Greylands would do without you. And--please"--he added, turning back again a step or two.