Part 22 (2/2)
Sophie went away half angry, and Richard looked at me uneasily.
”I thought you'd want to see me,” he said.
”Yes,” I answered; ”I wish you'd tell me everything,” but in so commonplace a voice, I know that he was startled.
”You do not feel well, do you? Maybe we'd better not talk about it now.”
”Oh, yes. You might as well tell me all to-night.”
”Well, everything is done. The two persons to whom I telegraphed met me at the station. There was very little delay. I went with them to the cemetery.”
”I am very glad of that. I thought perhaps you wouldn't go. Was there a clergyman, or don't they have a clergyman when--when--”
”There was a clergyman,” said Richard, briefly.
”I hope you'll take me there some time,” I said dreamily. ”Should you know where to go--exactly?”
”Exactly,” he answered. ”But, Pauline, I am afraid you havn't rested at all to-day. Have you slept?”
”No; and I wish I could; my head feels so strangely--light, you know--and as if I couldn't think.”
”Haven't you seen the Doctor?”
”No--and that's what I want to say. I _won't_ have the Doctor here; and I want you to take me home to-morrow morning, early, I have put a good many of my clothes into my trunk, and Bettina will help me with the rest to-night. Isn't there any train before the five o'clock?”
”No,” said Richard, uneasily. ”Pauline, I think you'd better not arrange to go away to-morrow.”
”If you don't take me out of this house I shall go mad. I have been thinking about it all day, and I know I shall.”
Richard was silent for a moment, then, with the wise instinct of affection, wonderful in man, and in a man who had had no experience in dealing with diseased or suffering minds, he acquiesced in my plan to go; told me that we would take the earliest train, and interested me in thoughts about my packing. About nine o'clock he came to my room-door, and I heard some one with him. It was the Doctor.
I turned upon Richard a fierce look, and said, very quietly, he might go away, for I would not see the Doctor. After that, they tried me with Sophie, but with less success; and, finally, Richard came back alone, with a gla.s.s in his hand.
”Take this, Pauline, it will make you sleep.”
I wanted to sleep very much, so I took it.
Bettina had finished my packing, and had laid my travelling dress and hat upon a chair.
”Shall Bettina come and sleep on the floor, by your bed?” asked Richard, anxiously.
”No, I would not have her for the world.”
”Maybe you might not wake in time,” said Richard, warily.
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