Neil rose as she entered, with a whispered "Good-morning," and he felt that he was trembling, and that he was only man, with all his weaknesses, in spite of his stubborn resolves. But he was himself again directly, as she spoke. "The patient, sir," she whispered; "has he passed a quiet night?" "Yes, quite," said Neil. "May I open one of the windows--that farthest from the bed, sir? The room is oppressive and faint." "Yes, yes; of course;" he said hastily, and he hurried out of the room. CHAPTER ELEVEN. AWKWARD ENCOUNTERS. "Oh, really, Sir Cheltnam, I would a great deal rather you waited till my brother is better," said Aunt Anne, who seemed rather concerned about the sit of a couple of folds in her dress. "Waited till he is better?" said the baronet, smiling. "Well, you know what I mean. It is such an important thing that I really don't like to interfere." "I would not ask you but I cannot ask Mr Elthorne. Wait? Oh, yes; I should be willing to wait, only, with all due respect to you, my dear Mrs Barnett, is it not rather indefinite?" "Oh, dear me, I'm afraid so." "And time is going on. You see, I do not want to be exacting, but I should like to find rather a warmer welcome when I come, and to be asked more frequently. It is Mr Elthorne's wishes." "Yes, yes, of course; I know that. But Isabel is very young." "It makes her the more attractive." "Well, I suppose so. There, Sir Cheltnam, I'm a plain woman, and I'll speak out. I'm afraid she has been thinking a good deal about Mr Beck." "Of course; but that is all over now. Mr Elthorne did not approve of it, and when I spoke to him, he told me that it was one of the great desires of his heart. Then came that terrible accident, and since then, you see, I have been quite left out in the cold. Come, now, Mrs Barnett, I do not wish to puff myself, but you must own that I can offer her everything that will insure her a happy future." "Oh, yes; I know all that," said Aunt Anne. "Then play the part of friend to us both." "What can I do?" "A thousand things that a clever diplomatic woman, like yourself, can contrive admirably. Of course I know all about the Beck business, and what did I do? Show annoyance? Not a bit. I said, `It is a young girl's first fancy, but one that she will soon forget. I'll wait;' and I have waited, but now it is time I was recognised a little by the young lady." "But her time is so taken up with attending to her father." "No, Mrs Barnett; I say little, but I see much. The nurse takes all that off her shoulders I believe." "Oh, yes, very attentive, and that sort of thing; but I shall be very glad when she is gone." "Naturally. But come, now--you will help me?" "Well, well; I'll do all I can." "I knew you would. Give me more of a _carte blanche_ to come and go." "But you are here a great deal now."