The Rosery Folk Part 19

"I am sure I was," responded Lady Scarlett.

"And the local doctors?"

"He will not see them; he says they aggravate him with their stupid questions. And yet he must have medical advice."

"How would it be if you took him abroad--say to some one or other of the baths? There you would get change of air, scene, the tonic waters for him to drink, and medical attendance on the spot."

"No, no; no, no; it is impossible! You shall judge for yourself," cried Lady Scarlett. "He would never bear the change. You will find that he is only satisfied when he is here at home--safe, he calls it, within the garden fence. He will not stir outside, and trembles even here at the slightest sound."

"But surely we could hit upon some clever medical man who would be able to manage his case with skill, and in whom my poor friend would feel confidence."

"Whom could I find? How could I find one?" exclaimed Lady Scarlett.

"There is no one but you to whom I can appeal."

"Is this truth, or acting?" thought Scales. "Why does she want me here?"

"I have thought it all out so carefully," continued Lady Scarlett. "You see he is alarmed at the very idea of a doctor coming near him."

"And yet you bring me here."

"Yes; you are his old schoolfellow, and he will welcome you as a friend.

The fact of your being a doctor will not trouble him."

"I see," said Scales.

"Then, while being constantly in his company, you can watch every change."

"Nice treacherous plan, eh, Lady Scarlett!" said the doctor, laughing.

"Don't call it that," she said pitifully. "It is for his good."

"Yes, yes; of course--of course. It's only giving him his powder in jam after all. But, tell me, if I agree to take his case in hand--"

"Which you will?" interrupted Lady Scarlett.

"I don't know yet," he replied drily. "But supposing I do: how often would you want me to come down here?"

"How often?" echoed the lady, with her eyes dilating. "I meant for you to come and live here until he is well."

"Phee-ew!" whistled the doctor, and he sat back in his chair thinking and biting his nails. "What does she mean?" he thought. "Am I too hard upon her? Is my dislike prejudice, or am I justified in thinking her a woman as deceitful as she is bad? If I am right, I am wanted down here to help some one or other of her plans. I won't stop. I'm sorry for poor Scarlett, and I might do him good, but--"

"You have considered the matter, and you will stay, doctor, will you not?" said Lady Scarlett sweetly.

"No, madam; I do not think it would be fair to any of the parties concerned."

"Doctor!" she cried appealingly, "oh, pray, don't say that. Forgive me if I speak plainly. Is it a question of money? If it is, pray, speak.

I'd give up half of what we have for my husband to be restored."

"No, madam," said the doctor bluntly; "it is not a question of money.

Several things combine to make me decline this offer; princ.i.p.ally, I find a want of confidence in undertaking so grave a responsibility."

"Doctor!" cried Lady Scarlett, rising and standing before him, with one hand resting upon the table, "you are trying to deceive me."

"Indeed, madam--"

"You never liked me, doctor, from the hour I was engaged; you have never liked me since."

"My dear Lady Scarlett!--"

"Listen to me, doctor. A woman is never deceived upon such points as this; she as readily notes the fact when a man dislikes as when he admires her. It is one of the gifts of her s.e.x."

"I was not aware of it," said the doctor coldly, "but I will take it that it is so."

"I have never injured you, doctor."

"Never, madam."

"I have, for my dear husband's sake, always longed to be your friend; but--be frank with me, doctor, as I am with you--you never gave me a place in your esteem."

The doctor was silent.

"I don't know why," continued Lady Scarlett, with tears in her eyes, "for I have always tried to win you to my side; but you have repelled me. You have been friendly and spoken kindly; but there was always a something behind. Doctor, why is all this--No; stop! Don't speak to me--don't say a word. What are my poor troubles, or your likes and dislikes, in the face of this terrible calamity? You dislike me, Doctor Scales. I do not dislike you; for I believe you to be an honourable man. Let us sink all our differences. No, I beg--I pray of you to stop here--to give up everything else to the study of my poor husband's case.

My only hope is in you."

As she made this appeal with an intensity of earnestness that was almost dramatic in its tone and action, the doctor imitated her movement and rose to his feet.

"Lady Scarlett," he said coldly, "you are excited now, and you have said several things that perhaps would have been as well left unsaid. I will not reply to them; for I agree with you that the question of Sir James Scarlett's health and restoration is one that should sweep away all petty differences. I trust that I have always treated my poor friend's wife with the greatest respect and deference, and that I always shall."

"Yes, yes," replied Lady Scarlett sadly; "deference and respect;" and as she gazed at him, there was a pained and wistful look in her suffused eyes that seemed to make him hesitate for the moment; but as she added, rather bitterly--"that is all," the way to his heart, that was beginning to open a little, reclosed, and he said sternly:

"No; I feel certain that it would be far better that I should not monopolise the treatment of my friend's case, and that--"

"Hush!" exclaimed Lady Scarlett quickly, for the door opened, and the object of their conversation, looking thin, pale, and with a scared and anxious expression on his countenance, came quickly into the room.

"Ah, Jack, here you are, then!" he exclaimed. "I've been looking for you everywhere. Here, come and sit and talk to me."

"All right," said the doctor, in his blunt way. "What do you say to having out the ponies and giving me a drive?"

"Drive?--a drive?" repeated Scarlett uneasily. "No, no. It is not fine enough."

"Lovely, my dear fellow, as soon as you get outside."

"No; not to-day, Jack. Don't ask me," said Scarlett excitedly, as his wife sat down and took up a piece of work. "The ponies are too fresh.

They've done nothing lately, and one of them has developed a frightfully vicious temper. I shall have to sell them."

"Let's go on the water, then; a row would do you good."

Lady Scarlett darted an imploring look at the doctor; but if intended to stay his speech it came too late.