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
Her father sent the children from the room, and took her tenderly on his
knee, where, drawing her head to his breast, he whispered, "Pauline, my
own dear child, cannot you tell your father the cause of your grief?"
I sat by her side while Joseph walked the room, stopping ever and anon
as if about to speak, and then checking himself with difficulty. After a
short time Pauline became more composed, so that she could speak, and
she raised her eyes mournfully to her father's face as she said, "I
forgot you were not my father, and I was so happy."
We were all much affected at the deep sadness of her tone, and Frank
said, "Let us all forget it, my daughter. Your father loves you truly
and tenderly;" and he pressed her in his arms as she lay like a child,
hiding her face in his bosom.
Joseph could restrain himself no longer, but rushed forward and stooping
down, took her unresisting hand. "Pauline, dearest Pauline, _I_ cannot
forget it, for the hour I learned that Eugene was your brother, was the
happiest of my life. Won't you look at me, dearest, to show you forgive
me?"
But the weeping girl clung to her father, while she absolutely shook
with emotion.
Just at this moment, Adele burst into the room with very evident marks
of excitement. Her eyes were much inflamed, and bore signs of excessive
weeping. She walked quickly up to Joseph, and requested to see him
alone.
Though evidently much annoyed, he led her into the next apartment, where
we heard their voices in earnest conversation for a short time; then she
wept aloud, and I could hear Joseph try to soothe her, and beg her to
compose herself. Soon after, he left with her in the carriage which
brought her to our hotel.
Frank looked much perplexed, and almost stern. Pauline wept so violently
he feared the effect upon her. She sobbed out, "Oh, papa!" and pressed
her hand to her heart. It was nearly an hour before we succeeded in
getting the poor child to her chamber, and when I left her she promised
to try to sleep. The Doctor is determined to wait for Joseph, and demand
an explanation of his conduct, and as I am too excited to sleep, I have
employed myself in writing.
_Tuesday, April 1st._
After sitting up to receive Joseph, who occupies rooms at our hotel,
until after two this morning, Frank retired to bed. I have rarely seen
him more displeased. He says Joseph has trifled with Pauline's
affections. I did not know what to think. I never saw anything in his
conduct which led me to suppose he loved her.
We were dressing for breakfast when a servant brought the Doctor a note.
It was from cousin, begging to see him as soon as possible. Frank
followed the servant, instead of sending an answer; and you can easily
imagine I awaited his return with no little impatience.
At length I went to see if Pauline were awake, and to my astonishment
found her up and dressed. Her countenance was pensive; but she tried to
smile as she came forward for her morning kiss.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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