Page:The Semi-attached Couple.djvu/251

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THE SEMI-ATTACHED COUPLE
247

my brother, but look at me, sir, and tell me the truth, the whole truth. I can bear it better than this suspense."

Dr. Grey did look at her, and saw that she was indeed wound up to know and to bear all, and at once he told her that the fever which had attacked Lord Teviot was one of a very violent kind, and which had proved fatal in many instances at Lisbon; that when first Lord Teviot came on board there was little hope, but that the fever itself had subsided, and that the danger that now existed was from the frightful state of weakness to which he was reduced. "But his age and naturally strong constitution gave us hopes; certainly we have hopes."

"Thank you; and now that I know all, let me go to him."

"I should recommend to your ladyship to defer seeing him; there is the difficulty of the removal still to be encountered, and——"

"I mean to be with him when he is moved," said Helen firmly.

"And," continued Dr. Grey, in the quietest tone, "I must apprise your ladyship that though it is most unlikely that Lord Teviot should recognize you, yet if he does, and your ladyship should show any great degree of emotion, I cannot answer for the consequences."

"I shall not show any emotion, and I must see him," said Helen, who felt as if Dr. Grey were a personal enemy, and hated him as a man totally without feeling. She was quite wrong; he was kind-hearted, and felt the greatest interest in Lord Teviot's case; but for thirty years he had been floating about the world, or cooped up in barracks with rough and hardy seamen; and he fought the battle between life and death daily waged by the men of his profession with none of the amenities which he would have acquired in more polished society.

"Had you not better wait, dearest," said Lord Beaufort,