"You came so quiet, you quite frightened me," said the woman. "Your nerves are over-strung," was the reply. "I ought to have known better." There was something so sweet and soothing in the deep musical tones of the soft voice that it had its effect upon the patient directly, and she lay back with a sigh. "It don't matter, nurse," she said, "but do make haste and get me well." "Indeed, we are trying very hard. But you are mending fast. Sir Denton will be here soon to see you again." "Yes," said the woman, with her brow growing rugged and a petulance of manner, "to hurt me again, horrid. He'll kill me before he has done." "You do not think so, Maria," said the nurse gently, as she laid her cool white hand upon the patient's brow. "He is as tender and gentle as a woman, and he takes great interest in your case." "But, I say, they won't take me into the theatre again, will they? Oh, I say, what a shame to call that horrid place a theatre!" "No; that is all over now, and you have nothing to do now but get well and go back to the country." "But it takes so long, and it was so horrid with all those doctors and people, and the chloroform, and stuff, and--" "Do you not think it would be better," said the nurse gently, "if, instead of looking at what has passed in that spirit, you were to try and remember it only with gratitude, and think that a month back you were in a very dangerous state, while now you are rapidly getting well?" "I don't know," said the woman querulously. "It's very horrid lying here listening to other people complaining and saying how bad they are, and no one near who knows you." "Come, come," said the nurse gently, "you are hot and tired. I have brought you some flowers and fruit. There!" She placed a bunch of roses in the patient's hand, and placed a bunch of large grapes before her on the bed. "Thanky," said the woman, ungraciously, as she sniffed at the flowers. "But they're not very fresh." "No," said the nurse, smiling; "but you must recollect that they had to be cut in the country and sent up by rail. Try a few of the grapes." She held up a little tray, and the patient picked one or two grapes off the bunch with an indifferent air. "Not much of grapes," she said. "You should see them in the vineries at Hightoft. Much nicer than these poor tasteless things." "I am sorry they're not better, Maria," said the nurse with a pitying smile. "They were the best I could get. You must remember we are in London." "Oh, yes; it isn't your fault, nurse. You can't help it." "Eat a few more." "No; I don't want 'em. I say, how long will the doctor be? I want to know if I mayn't get up." "I can tell you that, Maria. Not yet. Try and be patient and trust to us." "Oh, very well," said the girl petulantly; "but it's horrid lying here so long." "Do you think you could read a little if I brought you a book?" "No. It only makes me tired. I hate reading." "Hush! Here is Mr Elthorne."