Cora and The Doctor; or, Revelations of A Physician's WifeLeslie, Madeline
General
Cora and The Doctor; or, Revelations of A Physician's Wife
Leslie, Madeline
Physicians -- Fiction
"I believe," she replied in a mournful tone, putting her hand to her
side, "that mine is broken. I thought I had schooled myself to hear
this. I ought to have expected it; but oh! I have deceived myself."
I was never more embarrassed for words to express sympathy, and was
awkwardly silent.
"Cora," said she, looking at me, "there is no human being but yourself
whom I would allow to witness my"--she hesitated, "my grief at this
intelligence. My poor mother would be so pained, if she knew her
daughter loved another woman's husband." This last sentence was spoken
in her old bitter tone, and carried me back to past years. "And it shall
not be. To-morrow you will see me the same as ever. Please, dear
sister," she added, in a softened tone, "never allude to my grief. It
will soon be over."
It was only when she spoke of herself that her voice was harsh and
severe. I looked with admiration at her as she drew up her form, and
revealed the Lenox will, Frank sometimes refers to.
Mother looked very happy as her daughter came in smiling and talking of
Lucy's improved appearance since her return. My face was by far the
sadder of the two. I have never been able to conceal my feelings. "Dear
mother," I thought as I bid her good night, "you would not sleep much if
you knew what an aching heart lay beneath that smiling face."
_Saturday, June 20th._
Cæsar carried me and my smaller treasures this afternoon to see Aunt
Susy, who has been rather failing in health this summer. Pauline has
been with me several times, and is always delighted to accompany me
there. But now I was going to introduce my little Nelly, though not
without some fears that the squeezing she would get, would frighten the
timid little thing. Aunt Susy is no longer able to watch at the door to
see who goes by; but her heart has not grown cold while sitting in her
easy chair. I stepped into the entry and knocked at the inner door.
"Walk right in!" In obedience to this invitation, I opened the door, and
with Nelly in my arms, went up to the old lady. She looked over her
glasses for a moment as if she did not recognize me with my baby, and
before she could say anything, I laid the little miss in her lap.
"Bless its little soul," said Aunt Susy, carefully laying aside her
knitting where the needles couldn't hurt the child. "Well Miss Lenox, if
that don't beat all. I never know'd you'd got another;" and to pay for
being kept in ignorance, she began in good earnest to squeeze it to her
large warm heart. The baby crowed with delight, and as oft as she had a
kiss, would give a snatch for the glasses. All this time Pauline and her
mother stood by unnoticed, while the dear child had her little red lips
made up for a kiss.
"Here, Aunt Susy," I said, "give me the baby, this young lady is waiting
her turn."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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