The door creaked, and in my eagerness I tried to lift myself. 'Twas Aunt Lucy's hand that restrained me, and the next face I saw was that of Dorothy's mother. But why did it appear so old and sorrow-lined? And why was the hair now of a whiteness with the lace of the cap? She took my fingers in her own, and asked me anxiously if I felt any pain.
"Where am I, Mrs. Manners?"
"You are in London, Richard."
"In Arlington Street?"
She shook her head sadly. "No, my dear, not in Arlington Street. But you are not to talk."
"And Dorothy? May I not see Dorothy? Aunt Lucy tells me she is here."
Mrs. Manners gave the old mammy a glance of reproof, a signal that alarmed me vastly.
"Oh, tell me, Mrs. Manners! You will speak the truth. Tell me if she is gone away?"
"My dear boy, she is here, and under this very roof. And you shall see her as soon as Dr. Barry will permit. Which will not be soon," she added with a smile, "if you persist in this conduct."
The threat had the desired effect. And Mrs. Manners quietly left the room, and after a while as quietly came back again and sat down by the fire, whispering to Aunt Lucy.