The New Mistress Part 59

"She's getting that thin, doctor, it's quite pitiful," she said; but only to receive the same answer.

"Wait till the fever has exhausted itself, my dear madam, and we will soon build up fresh tissue, and you shall see her gain strength every hour."

But the fever did not exhaust itself, and in spite of every care Hazel's state grew critical indeed.

"If I might only see her, dear," said Mr William Forth Burge; "if I might only speak to her once. I wouldn't want to come in."

"No, Bill dear," said the little woman firmly; "not yet. The doctor says it is best not, and you must wait."

"Does--does she ever in her wanderings--a--a--does she ever speak about me, Betsey?"

"Yes; sometimes she says you have been very kind."

"She has said that?"

"Yes, dear; but she is not herself, Bill dear. She's quite off her head. I wouldn't build up any hopes upon that."

"No, I won't," he said hastily. "I don't expect anything--I don't want anything, only to see her well again. But it does me good to think she can think of me ever so little while she is ill."

"You see, dear, it's her wandering," said his sister; "that's all."

"But tell me, Betsey, tell me again, do you think she will get over it?"

he said imploringly.

She looked at him with the tears trickling down her face, but she did not answer.

"He comes, you see, and smiles and rubs his hands, and says, 'She's no worse--she's no worse, Mr William Forth Burge, sir;' but I can't trust him, Betsey, like I can you. There," he cried, "see: I'm quite calm, and I'll bear it like a man. Tell me, do you think she'll get over it?"

"Bill dear, I can't tell you a lie, but I don't think there's any present danger. I do think, though, you ought to send for the poor girl's brother, and let him be down."

William Forth Burge uttered a low groan, for he read the worst in his sister's eyes.

"I'll send for him directly, dear," he said; and he rose and staggered from the room.

It was in the morning, and the message for Percy to come down at once was sent; after which, in a dull, heavy way, Burge stood staring before him, trying to get his brain to act clearly, as he asked himself what he ought to do next.

"I think I ought to go down to her mother," he said softly; "and I will."

In this intent he went softly out into the hall, when little Miss Burge came hastily down the stairs, and her brother gasped as he placed one hand upon his side.

"Bill--Bill," she whispered excitedly, "she is talking sensibly, and she wants to see you."

"Wants to see me?" he panted. "No, no; she is wandering, poor girl!"

"No, no, dear," cried little Miss Burge, clinging to his arm; "she has asked for you hundreds of times when she was wandering, and I wouldn't tell you--I thought it wouldn't be right. But now she's quite herself, and she's asking for you to come."

"But ought I," he said, "in my own house?"

"Yes--now," whispered back his sister. "But Bill dear, she's wasted away to a shadow, she's weak as weak, and you must not say a word more to her than if she was a friend or you were her brother."

"No, no," he said hoa.r.s.ely.

"Come, then. She wants to speak to you, and it may do her good."

Trembling with excitement, William Forth Burge softly followed his sister up the stairs, trying to smile and look composed, so as to present an encouraging aspect to the invalid, telling himself, heartsore though he was, that it was his duty, and that it would have a good effect; but as he entered the room and saw the change that had taken place, he uttered a low groan, and stood as if nailed to the floor.

For Hazel was changed indeed. Her cheeks were sunken and her eyes looked unnaturally large, but the restless, pained expression had pa.s.sed away, and the light of recognition was in her eyes, as she tried to raise one hand, which fell back upon the coverlet.

He saw her lips part, and she smiled at him as he stood there by the door. This brought him back to himself, and he went hurriedly towards the bedside.

"It was selfish of me to ask you to come," she said softly; "but you have both shown that you do not fear the fever."

"Fear it, my dear? No!" he said, taking her thin white hand, kissing it, and making as if to lay it reverently back upon the coverlet; but the fingers closed round his, and a thrill of joy shot through his breast, as it seemed for the moment that she was clinging to him.

"How am I ever to thank you enough?" she said, in a faint whisper. "Why have you brought me here? It troubles me. I feel as if I should make you suffer."

"But you mustn't talk now, my darling," whispered little Miss Burge.

"Wait till the doctor has been, and only lie still now and rest your poor self."

"Yes--rest," she said feebly--"rest. I feel so easy now. All that dreadful pain has gone."

"Thank G.o.d!"

She turned her eyes upon the speaker with a grateful look and smiled faintly, motioning to him to take the chair by the bedside.

"Don't leave me," she whispered. "Yes; keep hold of my hand. You have been so kind, and I seem to see it all now so plainly."

"But my darling, you must not talk. There, just say a word or two to him, and then he must go. I'm going to ask the doctor to come and see you now."

"No: let him wait. I must talk now. Perhaps to-night my senses will go again, and I shall be wandering on and on amongst the troubles once more."

"Then you will be very still, dear."

"Yes; I only want to lie and rest. Don't leave me, Mr Burge. Hold my hand."

There was a sweet, calm look upon her face as she lay there, holding feebly by the hand that tenderly grasped hers, and her eyes half-closed as if in sleep.

From time to time William Forth Burge exchanged glances with his sister, but the looks he received in return were always encouraging, and he sat there, care-worn and anxious, but at the same time feeling supremely happy.

An hour had pa.s.sed before Hazel spoke again, and then it was in a dreamy, thoughtful whisper.

"I've been thinking about the past," she said, "and recalling all that has been done for me. I cannot talk much; but, Mr Burge, I can feel it all. Don't--don't think me ungrateful."

"No, no," he whispered, as he bent down and kissed her hand; "I never could."

"I was thinking about--about when you asked me--to be your wife."

"Yes, yes, my dear!" he said eagerly; "but I was mad then. It was only an old fellow's fancy. I could not help it. It was foolish, and I ought to have known better. But we know one another now, and all you've got to do, my dear, is to grow well and strong, and find out that William Burge is man enough to do what's right."