Part 50 (2/2)

At that ill-timed inquiry, Amelius showed his temper again. He was in a state of nervous irritability which made him apt to take offence, where no offence was intended. ”Oh, you needn't be alarmed!” he answered petulantly; ”there's no fear of the poor child coming back to live with me. She is still under the doctor's care.”

Rufus pa.s.sed over the angry reply without notice, and patted him on the shoulder. ”I spoke of the girl,” he said, ”because I wanted to help her; and I can help her, if you will let me. Before long, my son, I shall be going back to the United States. I wish you would go with me!”

”And desert Sally!” cried Amelius.

”Nothing of the sort! Before we go, I'll see that Sally is provided for to your satisfaction. Will you think of it, to please me?”

Amelius relented. ”Anything, to please you,” he said.

Rufus noticed his hat and gloves on the table, and left him without saying more. ”The trouble with Amelius,” he thought, as he closed the cottage gate, ”is not over yet.”

CHAPTER 11

The day on which worthy old Surgeon Pinfold had predicted that Sally would be in a fair way of recovery had come and gone; and still the medical report to Amelius was the same:--”You must be patient, sir; she is not well enough to see you yet.”

Toff, watching his young master anxiously, was alarmed by the steadily progressive change in him for the worse, which showed itself at this time. Now sad and silent, and now again bitter and irritable, he had deteriorated physically as well as morally, until he really looked like the shadow of his former self. He never exchanged a word with his faithful old servant, except when he said mechanically, ”good morning”

or ”good night.” Toff could endure it no longer. At the risk of being roughly misinterpreted, he followed his own kindly impulse, and spoke.

”May I own to you, sir,” he said, with perfect gentleness and respect, ”that I am indeed heartily sorry to see you so ill?”

Amelius looked up at him sharply. ”You servants always make a fuss about trifles. I am a little out of sorts; and I want a change--that's all.

Perhaps I may go to America. You won't like that; I shan't complain if you look out for another situation.”

The tears came into the old man's eyes. ”Never!” he answered fervently.

”My last service, sir, if you send me away, shall be my dearly loved service here.”

All that was most tender in the nature of Amelius was touched to the quick. ”Forgive me, Toff,” he said; ”I am lonely and wretched, and more anxious about Sally than words can tell. There can be no change in my life, until my mind is easy about that poor little girl. But if it does end in my going to America, you shall go with me--I wouldn't lose you, my good friend, for the world.”

Toff still remained in the room, as if he had something left to say.

Entirely ignorant of the marriage engagement between Amelius and Regina, and of the rupture in which it had ended, he vaguely suspected nevertheless that his master might have fallen into an entanglement with some lady unknown. The opportunity of putting the question was now before him. He risked it in a studiously modest form.

”Are you going to America to be married, sir?”

Amelius eyed him with a momentary suspicion. ”What has put that in your head?” he asked.

”I don't know, sir,” Toff answered humbly--”unless it was my own vivid imagination. Would there be anything very wonderful in a gentleman of your age and appearance conducting some charming person to the altar?”

Amelius was conquered once more; he smiled faintly. ”Enough of your nonsense, Toff! I shall never be married--understand that.”

Toff's withered old face brightened slyly. He turned away to withdraw; hesitated; and suddenly went back to his master.

”Have you any occasion for my services, sir, for an hour or two?” he asked.

”No. Be back before I go out, myself--be back at three o'clock.”

”Thank you, sir. My little boy is below, if you want anything in my absence.”

The little boy dutifully attending Toff to the gate, observed with grave surprise that his father snapped his fingers gaily at starting, and hummed the first bars of the Ma.r.s.eillaise. ”Something is going to happen,” said Toff's boy, on his way back to the house.

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