Captain Oliphant’s first anxiety was naturally for his dear young ward. He found him sitting up in an arm-chair, with Rosalind reading Shakespeare to him.
“Hullo, guardian!” said he, “you see the place hasn’t got rid of me yet—thanks to my kind nurse here.”
“I am indeed thankful, my dear boy, for your recovery. And how is my Rosalind?”
She came and kissed him.
“Very well, dear father. But Roger has to keep very quiet still, so you must only stay a minute or two, or I shall get into disgrace with the doctor. He has been so good. Have you seen cousin Eva?”
“Yes, my child. But come with me; I want to introduce you to Mr Ratman.”
She looked inclined to rebel, but after a moment closed her book, and, having smoothed the invalid’s cushions, followed her father from the room.
The captain felt decidedly nervous as she walked silently at his side. At her own door she paused abruptly and said—
“Won’t you come in, father? I want to say something to you.”
“A storm brewing,” said the captain to himself. “I expected it.”