It was a new thing for me to enter into any scheme blindfold1. But the past few weeks had taught me many lessons and among them to trust a little in the judgment2 of others.
Accordingly I was on hand with my patient at the hour designated, and, as I supported her trembling steps down the stairs, I endeavored not to betray the intense interest agitating3 me, or to awaken4 by my curiosity any further dread5 in her mind than that involved by her departure from this home of bounty6 and good feeling, and her entrance upon an unknown and possibly much to be apprehended7 future.
Mr. Gryce was awaiting us in the lower hall, and as he caught sight of her slender figure and anxious face his whole attitude became at once so protecting and so sympathetic, I did not wonder at her failure to associate him with the police.
As she stepped down to his side he gave her a genial8 nod.
"I am glad to see you so far on the road to recovery," he remarked. "It shows me that my prophecy is correct and that in a few days you will be quite yourself again."
She looked at him wistfully.[Pg 336]
"You seem to know so much about me, doctor, perhaps you can tell me where they are going to take me."
He lifted a tassel9 from a curtain near by, looked at it, shook his head at it, and inquired quite irrelevantly10:
"Have you bidden good-bye to Miss Althorpe?"
Her eyes stole towards the parlors11 and she whispered as if half in awe12 of the splendor13 everywhere surrounding her:
"I have not had the opportunity. But I should be sorry to go without a word of thanks for her goodness. Is she at home?"
The tassel slipped from his hand.
"You will find her in a carriage at the door. She has an engagement out this afternoon, but wishes to say good-bye to you before leaving."
"Oh, how kind she is!" burst from the girl's white lips; and with a hurried gesture she was making for the door when Mr. Gryce stepped before her and opened it.
Two carriages were drawn14 up in front, neither of which seemed to possess the elegance15 of so rich a woman's equipage. But Mr. Gryce appeared satisfied, and pointing to the nearest one, observed quietly:
"You are expected. If she does not open the carriage door for you, do not hesitate to do it yourself. She has something of importance to say to you."
Miss Oliver looked surprised, but prepared to obey him. Steadying herself by the stone balustrade, she slowly descended16 the steps and advanced towards the carriage. I watched her from the doorway17 and Mr. Gryce from the vestibule. It seemed an ordinary situation,[Pg 337] but something in the latter's face convinced me that interests of no small moment depended upon the interview about to take place.
But before I could decide upon their nature or satisfy myself as to the full meaning of Mr. Gryce's manner, she had started back from the carriage door and was saying to him in a tone of modest embarrassment18:
"There is a gentleman in the carriage; you must have made some mistake."
Mr. Gryce, who had evidently expected a different result from his stratagem19, hesitated for a moment, during which I felt that he read her through and through; then he responded lightly:
"I made a mistake, eh? Oh............