Sure by this time that she was talking too much, Rachel was glad to hear

that Mr. Harvey was come. He was a friendly, elderly man, who knew them

all intimately, having attended Alick through his tedious recovery, and

his first measure was to clear the room. Rachel thought that "at her

age" he might have accepted her services, rather than her maid's, but

she suspected Alick of instigating her exclusion, so eagerly did he

pounce on her to make her eat, drink, and lie on the sofa, and so

supremely scornful was he of her views of sitting up, a measure which

might be the more needful for want of a bed.

On the whole, however, he was satisfied about her; alarm and excitement

had restrung her powers, and she knew herself to have done her part, so

that she was ready to be both cheerful and important over the evening

meal. Mr. Clare was by no means annoyed at this vicissitude, but rather

amused at it, and specially diverted at the thought of what would be Mr.

Lifford's consternation. Lord Keith's servant had come over, reporting

his master to be a good deal worn out by the afternoon's anxiety, and

recommending that he should not be again disturbed that night, so he

was off their minds, and the only drawback to the pleasantness of the

evening was surprise at seeing and hearing nothing from Mr. Harvey. The

London doctor arrived, he met him and took him up-stairs at once; and

then ensued a long stillness, all attempts at conversation died away,

and Alick only now and then made attempts to send his companions to

bed. Mr. Clare went out to the hall to listen, or Rachel stole up to the

extemporary nursery to consult Nurse Jones, whom she found very gruff at

having been turned out in favour of the stranger maid.

It was a strange time of suspense. Alick made Rachel lie on the sofa,

and she almost heard the beating of her own heart; he sat by her, trying

to seem to read, and his uncle stood by the open window, where the

tinkle of a sheep bell came softly in from the meadows, and now and then

the hoot of the owl round the church tower made the watchers start. To

watch that calm and earnest face was their great help in that hour of

alarm; those sightless eyes, and broad, upraised spiritual brow seemed

so replete with steadfast trust and peace, that the very sight was

soothing and supporting to the young husband and wife, and when the long

strokes of twelve resounded from the church tower, Mr. Clare, turning

towards them, began in his full, musical voice to repeat Bishop Ken's

noble midnight hymn-"My God, now I from sleep awake,

The sole possession of me take;

From midnight terrors me secure,

And guard my soul from thoughts impure."




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024