Part 128 (2/2)

Mr. Carlyle had got ”Master Arthur” on his shoulder when Joyce entered.

Master Arthur was decidedly given to noise and rebellion, and was already, as Wilson expressed it, ”st.u.r.dy upon his pins.”

”How is Madame Vine, Joyce?”

Joyce scarcely knew how to answer. But she did not dare to equivocate as to her precarious state. And where the use, when a few hours would probably see the end of it?

”She is very ill, indeed, sir.”

”Worse?”

”Sir, I fear she is dying.”

Mr. Carlyle, in his consternation, put down Arthur. ”Dying!”

”I hardly think she will last till morning, sir!”

”Why, what has killed her?” he uttered in amazement.

Joyce did not answer. She looked pale and confused.

”Have you had Dr. Martin?”

”Oh, no, sir. It would be of no use.”

”No use!” repeated Mr. Carlyle, in a sharp accent. ”Is that the way to treat dying people? a.s.sume it is of no use to send for advice, and so quietly let them die! If Madame Vine is as ill as you say, a telegraphic message must be sent off at once. I had better see her,” he cried, moving to the door.

Joyce, in her perplexity, dared to place her back against it, preventing his egress. ”Oh, master! I beg your pardon, but--it would not be right.

Please, sir, do not think of going into her room!”

Mr. Carlyle thought Joyce was taken with a fit of prudery. ”Why can't I go in?” he asked.

”Mrs. Carlyle would not like it, sir,” stammered Joyce, her cheeks scarlet now.

Mr. Carlyle stared at her. ”Some of you take up odd ideas,” he cried.

”In Mrs. Carlyle's absence, it is necessary that some one should see her! Let a lady die in my house, and never see after her! You are out of your senses, Joyce. I shall go in after dinner; so prepare Madame Vine.”

The dinner was being brought in then. Joyce, feeling like one in a nervous attack, picked up Arthur and carried him to Sarah in the nursery. What on earth was she to do?

Scarcely had Mr. Carlyle begun his dinner, when his sister entered. Some grievance had arisen between her and the tenants of certain houses of hers, and she was bringing the dispute to him. Before he would hear it, he begged her to go up to Madame Vine, telling her what Joyce had said of her state.

”Dying!” exclaimed Miss Corny, in disbelieving derision. ”That Joyce has been more like a simpleton lately than like herself. I can't think what has come to the woman.”

She took off her bonnet and mantle, and laid them on a chair, gave a twitch or two to her cap, as she surveyed it in the pier-gla.s.s, and went upstairs. Joyce answered her knock at the invalid's door; and Joyce, when she saw who it was, turned as white as any sheet.

”Oh, ma'am, you must not come in!” she blundered out, in her confusion and fear, as she put herself right in the doorway.

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