Part 36 (1/2)
”You don't think my husband will have a relapse?” asked Mrs. Preston, with fresh alarm.
”Not if he has the same care for a short time longer.”
”He shall have it. She must stay. Of course her duties are lighter now, and six dollars a week for the remainder of the time will be enough--don't you think so?”
”No, I don't,” said the doctor, bluntly; ”and, moreover, I am quite sure your husband will not consent to reducing the wages of one whose faithful care has saved his life.”
”Oh, well, you know best,” said Mrs. Preston, slowly. ”I am quite willing that she should be well paid.”
Mrs. Preston went upstairs, and entered her husband's chamber.
”Oh, my dear husband!” she exclaimed, theatrically, hurrying across the room, with affected emotion. ”I am so glad to find you so much better!”
”I am glad to see you back, Lucinda,” said Colonel Preston; but he spoke coldly, and without the slightest affectation of sentimental joy. ”I have pa.s.sed through a good deal since you left me.”
”And so have I!” exclaimed his wife. ”Oh, how my heart has been rent with anxiety, as I thought of you lying sick, while duty kept me from your side.”
”Is G.o.dfrey well?” asked her husband, taking no notice of her last speech.
”Yes, poor boy! He sends his love, and is so anxious to see you.”
”Let him come next Friday afternoon,” said the sick man, who doubted this statement, yet wanted to believe it true.
”He shall. I will write to him at once.”
So Mrs. Preston resumed her place in the house; but from that time there was a something she could not understand in her husband's manner. He was graver than formerly, and sometimes she saw him watching her intently, and, after a little, turn away, with a sigh.
He had found her out in all her intense selfishness and want of feeling, and he could never again regard her as formerly, even though she tried hard at times, by a show of affection, to cover up her heartless neglect.
CHAPTER XXIII MRS. BURKE HAS GOOD FORTUNE
Mrs. Burke remained a week longer to nurse Colonel Preston. At the end of this time Mr. Preston thought he was well enough to dispense with a nurse, and accordingly she prepared to take leave.
”I shall always remember your kind service, Mrs. Burke,” said the colonel, warmly.
”It was only my duty, sir,” said the widow, modestly.
”Not all would have done their duty so faithfully.”
”I am glad to see you well again,” said the widow.
”Not more than I am to get well, I a.s.sure you,” said he. ”Whenever you are in any trouble, come to me.”
With these words, he placed in her hands an envelope, which, as she understood, contained the compensation for her services. She thanked him, and took her departure.
Mrs. Preston was curious to know how much her husband paid the nurse, and asked the question.
”A hundred dollars,” he replied.