Part 10 (2/2)

”Yes, sir; at ten to a minute.”

”Ah! it is one--nearly half-past one--now, I perceive,” said he, looking at his watch. ”That accounts for his drowsiness,” muttered he, between his teeth. ”Curious vegetables are these old campaigners. Wish him good night for me when he awakes, will you?”

And so saying, he proceeded on his way, with all that la.s.situde and exhaustion which it was his custom to throw into every act which demanded the slightest exertion.

”Any more stairs to mount, Mr. Craggs?” said he, with a bland but sickly smile.

”Yes, sir; two flights more.”

”Oh, dear! couldn't you have disposed of me on the lower floor?--I don't care where or how, but something that requires no climbing. It matters little, however, for I'm only here for a day.”

”We could fit up a small room, sir, off the library.”

”Do so, then. A most humane thought; for if I _should_ remain another night--Not at it yet?” cried he, peevishly, at the aspect of an almost perpendicular stair before him.

”This is the last flight, sir; and you'll have a splendid view for your trouble, when you awake in the morning.”

”There is no view ever repaid the toil of an ascent, Mr. Craggs, whether it be to an attic or the Righi. Would you kindly tell my servant, Mr.

Schofer, where to find me, and let him fetch the pillows, and put a little rosemary in a gla.s.s of water in the room,--it corrects the odor of the night-lamp. And I should like my coffee early,--say at seven, though I don't wish to be disturbed afterwards. Thank you, Mr.

Craggs,--good-night. Oh! one thing more. You have a doctor here: would you just mention to him that I should like to see him to-morrow about nine or half-past? Good night, good night.”

And with a smile worthy of bestowal upon a court beauty, and a gentle inclination of the head, the very ideal of gracefulness, Sir Horace dismissed Mr. Craggs, and closed the door.

CHAPTER IX. A MEDICAL VISIT

Mr. Schofer moved through the dimly lighted chamber with all the cat-like stealthiness of an accomplished valet, arranging the various articles of his master's wardrobe, and giving, so far as he was able, the semblance of an accustomed spot to this new and strange locality.

Already, indeed, it was very unlike what it had been during Harcourt's occupation. Guns, whips, fis.h.i.+ng-tackle, dog-leashes, and landing-nets had all disappeared, as well as uncouth specimens of costume for boating or the chase; and in their place were displayed all the accessories of an elaborate toilet, laid out with a degree of pomp and ostentation somewhat in contrast to the place. A richly embroidered dressing-gown lay on the back of a chair, before which stood a pair of velvet slippers worked in gold. On the table in front of these, a whole regiment of bottles, of varied shape and color, were ranged, the contents being curious essences and delicate odors, every one of which entered into some peculiar stage of that elaborate process Sir Horace Upton went through, each morning of his life, as a preparation for the toils of the day.

Adjoining the bed stood a smaller table, covered with various medicaments, tinctures, essences, infusions, and extracts, whose subtle qualities he was well skilled in, and but for whose timely a.s.sistance he would not have believed himself capable of surviving throughout the day.

Beside these was a bulky file of prescriptions, the learned doc.u.ments of doctors of every country of Europe, all of whom had enjoyed their little suns.h.i.+ne of favor, and all of whom had ended by ”mistaking his case.”

These had now been placed in readiness for the approaching consultation with ”Glencore's doctor;” and Mr. Schofer still glided noiselessly from place to place, preparing for that event.

”I 'm not asleep, Fritz,” said a weak, plaintive voice from the bed.

”Let me have my aconite,--eighteen drops; a full dose to-day, for this journey has brought back the pains.”

”Yes, Excellenz,” said Fritz, in a voice of broken accentuation.

”I slept badly,” continued his master, in the same complaining tone.

”The sea beat so heavily against the rocks, and the eternal plash, plash, all night irritated and worried me. Are you giving me the right tincture?”

”Yes, Excellenz,” was the brief reply.

”You have seen the doctor,--what is he like, Fritz?”

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