"The wind still holds in the north," remarked Dr. Jones, scanning the skies and treetops. "I see that it has veered a few points to the west. We will surely get a favorable wind before many days."
"Isn't it a pity that you cannot stay with that lovely girl until she is out of danger?" sighed Mrs. Jones.
"Yes, it grieves me exceedingly to be obliged to leave her, but I have no option in the matter. If that globe were my private property, I would not leave her until she was out of danger. But, under the circumstances, I cannot do so. After all," said he, brightening up with the thought, "she will probably do as well without me."
"She is the loveliest creature I ever saw," said Mattie. "How gentle, beautiful, and patient she is. Much as I desire to visit the North Pole, still I would gladly remain here six months or a year if it would do her any good."
The day passed away without incident. After dinner all met in the drawing-room, and the invalid girl occupied an easy chair among them. She extended her hand to Dr. Jones with a grateful smile, and said:
"Doctor, I have not passed so comfortable a day for a very long time. I shall get well. Your medicine has done wonders for me already. You are, no doubt, in great haste to reach your destination, but you must not leave me until I am better. If you do, I shall die."
"O, no! my dear Miss Feodora, you will not die. I shall leave you medicines that will help you through nicely."
This the Doctor said with all the assurance and cheerfulness he could command. But she instinctively detected a slight shade of anxiety or uncertainty in his tone. The physician must be a consummate actor who can deceive a patient whose perceptions are preternaturally acute as were Feodora's. He saw that he had not deceived her, and cried:
"Do not let us think of that subject to-night. This unfavorable wind may last many days, and I promise to see you better before I go."
She smiled sweetly and gratefully as he gave her this promise, and abandoned herself to the enjoyment of the music, conversation, etc., of the evening. Instrumental and vocal music constituted the principal source of amusement, and the audience awarded unstinted praise and applause. The singers were in the best possible form, not one of them complaining of cold or hoarseness, as is customary. Nothing could exceed the sweetness and richness of Mrs. Jones' voice. It seemed to fill the gloomy halls and rooms of the castle to its farthest confines. And Mattie's contralto beautifully and nobly seconded the soprano. The tenor and bass could scarcely have been better, and altogether it was a concert worthy of the praise of that, or any other, audience.