Part 3 (2/2)
DEAR RICHARD,--I 've had a hard night, trying to look at things from your point of view and see my own duty towards Hazel. Things have grown rather misty, looking both backwards and forwards, and I have concluded I can't do better than to take you at your word,--trust her to you, and accept the guarantee of her return to me with her physical condition such as it should be.
This decision will, as you well know, raise a storm of protest among the relations. The whole swarm will be about my ears in less than no time.
Stand by me. The whole responsibility rests upon you,--and tell Hazel; I 'm too much of a coward. This is a confession, but you will understand. Let me know the details of your plans so soon as possible. I have never been able to give you such a proof of friends.h.i.+p. Have you ever asked another man for such? I mistrust you, old fellow.
Yours, JOHN.
IV
A LITTLE MILLIONAIRE
”Gabrielle.”
”Oui, mademoiselle Hazel,” came in shrill yet m.u.f.fled tones from the depths of the dressing-room closet.
”Bring me my white silk kimono.”
”Oui, mademoiselle.”
The order, in French, was given in a weak and slightly fretful voice that issued from the bed at the farther end of a large room from which the dressing-room opened. The apartment was, in truth, what Doctor Heath had called it, ”a nest of luxury.”
It was a bitter Saint Valentine's Day which succeeded the Doctor's evening visit. The wood-fire, blazing cheerily in the ample fireplace, sent its warmth and light far out into the room, flas.h.i.+ng red reflections in the curiously twisted bars of the bra.s.s bedstead. At the left of the fireplace stood a small round tea-table, and upon it a little silver tea-kettle on a standard of the same metal. Dainty cups and saucers of egg-sh.e.l.l china were grouped about it; a miniature silver tray held a sugar-dish and a cream-pot and a half-dozen gold-lined souvenir spoons.
On the richly carved mantel stood an exquisite plate-gla.s.s clock, the chimes of which were just striking nine, and, keeping it company to right and left, were two dainty figures of a shepherd and shepherdess in Dresden china. The remaining mantel s.p.a.ce was filled with tiny figures in bisque,--a dachshund, a cat and kittens, a porcelain box, heart-shaped, the top covered with china forget-me-nots, a silver drinking-cup, a small oval portrait on ivory of a beautiful young woman, framed in richly chased gold, the inner rim set round with pearls. A blue pitcher of Cloisonne and a tray of filigree silver heaped with dainty cotillion favors stood on one end; on the other, a crystal vase filled with white tulips.
Soft blue and white j.a.panese rugs lay upon the polished floor; delicate blue and white draperies hung at the windows. Dressing-case and writing-desk of white curled maple were each laden with articles for the toilet and for writing, in solid silver, engraved with the monogram H.C.
A couch, upholstered in blue and white j.a.panese silk, stood at the right of the fireplace, and all about the room were dainty wicker chairs enamelled in white, and cus.h.i.+oned to match the hangings.
The bed was canopied in pale blue covered with white net and edged with lace, and the coverlet was of silk of the same delicate color, embroidered with white violets and edged like the canopy, only with a deeper frill of lace. The occupant of this couch, fit for a princess royal, was the little mistress of all she surveyed, as well as the mansion of which the room formed a small part; and a woebegone-looking little girl she was, who called again, and this time impatiently:--
”Gabrielle, hurry, do.”
”Oui, oui, mademoiselle Hazel;” and Gabrielle tripped across the room with the white kimono in one hand and fresh towels in the other. She had just slipped it upon Hazel when there was a knock at the door.
Gabrielle opened it, and Wilkins asked in a voice intended to be low, but which proved only husky:--
”Nuss say she mus' jes' speak wif Ma.r.s.e Clyde 'fo' she come up, an'
wan's to know if Miss Hazel will haf her breffus now or wait till she come up herse'f.”
Before Gabrielle could answer, Hazel called out, ”You may bring it up now, Wilkins; and has the postman come yet?”
Wilkins' broad smile sounded in his voice, as it came out of its huskiness.
”Yes, Miss Hazel, ben jes' 'fo' I come up. I ain't seen no hearts, but dey's thicker 'n spatter by de feel, an' a heap o' boxes by 'spress!”
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