Man and Maid

* * * * *

Sunday:

I was still in bed on Saturday morning at eleven--the Doctor came out to

see me very early and insisted that I be kept quite still until

Monday--So Burton had my bed table brought, and all my papers and

things--There had come a number of letters to answer, and he had asked

me if Miss Sharp could not do them as soon as she arrived.

"Burton, perhaps she'll feel not quite at ease with me alone in here

like this. Could you not make some excuse to be tidying drawers and

stay while I am dictating," I said.

"Very good, Sir Nicholas."

When he replies with those words I know that he is agreeing--with

reservations--.

"Out with what you are thinking, Burton."

"Well, Sir Nicholas"--and he coughed--"Miss Sharp--is that understandin'

sh'd know in a minute your things wasn't likely to be in a mess, and

that you'd got me there on purpose--It might make her awkward like--."

"You may be right, we will see how things turn out."

Presently I heard Alathea in the sitting-room and Burton went in to see

her.

"Sir Nicholas is very poorly to-day, Miss"--I heard him say--"The Doctor

won't let him out of bed--I wonder if you'd be so kind as to take down

his letters--they are too much for him himself not being able to sit

up--and I have not the time."

"Of course I will, Burton," her soft voice answered.

"I've put the table and everything ready--and I thank you kindly--"

Burton went on--"I am glad to see you looking better, Miss."

I listened intently--It seemed as if I could hear her taking off her

hat--and then she came into the room to me--but by that time my heart

was beating so that I could not speak loud.

I said "good morning" in some half voice, and she answered the

same--then she came forward to the table. Her dear little face was very

pale and there was something pathetic in the droop of her lips--her

hands, I noticed, were again not so red--.

"All the letters are there"--and I pointed to the pile--"It will be so

good of you if you will do them now."

She took each one up and handed it to me without speaking and I dictated

the answer.--I had had one from Suzette that morning thanking me for the

villa--but I was clearly under the impression that I had put it with the

one from Maurice and one from Daisy Ryven at the other side of the bed,

so I had no anxiety about it--Then suddenly I saw Alathea's cheeks flame

crimson and her mouth shut with a snap--and I realized that the irony of

fate had fallen upon me again, and that she had picked up Suzette's

lavender tinted, highly scented missive. She handed it to me without a

word--.