Volume Ii Part 16 (1/2)
”Nothing?”
”Nothing. What should I be but for you? What would the world be to me but for you? If you were in danger, and I could save you by--”
He put his fingers upon her lips, and looked fearsomely around.
”That will do,” he said.
Then he kissed her, and she threw her arms pa.s.sionately around his neck, and pressed him close to her breast.
Half an hour afterward she went up to Miser Farebrother's room.
”Are you any better? Do you feel any stronger?”
”No. Why do you ask? Why do you intrude when you're not wanted?”
”Your daughter has come home.”
”What of that?”
”Her aunt is with her.”
”Send her away. I will not see her. Tell her I am too ill to see anybody.”
”Mr. Cornwall is with her.”
His fretfulness vanished; he became calm and cool and collected.
”Mr. Cornwall the lawyer?”
”Yes.”
”Has he asked to see me?”
”He has come for that purpose.”
”And Phoebe's aunt too?”
”Yes.”
”Did you tell them I am ill?”
”Yes.”
”And they insist upon seeing me?”
”Yes.” It was not the truth, but she did not hesitate. She had said nothing to Mrs. Lethbridge and Fred Cornwall about Miser Farebrother's illness.
He considered awhile before he spoke again.
”Your son knew that my daughter was coming home to-day?”