The Three BridesYonge, Charlotte M. (Charlotte Mary)
General
The Three Brides
Yonge, Charlotte M. (Charlotte Mary)
England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction; Marriage -- Fiction
"I don't think I can till I know whether you are fit to move," said
Rosamond. "I desired Dilemma to tell them to send Dr. Worth here
when he comes to Terry. Besides, is it quite right to carry _this_
into another place?"
"I never thought of that," said Herbert. "But they would shut me
up; nobody come near me but Cranky." But there a shivering fit
caught him, so that the sofa shook with him, and Rosamond covered
him with rugs, and again told him bed was the only place for him,
and he consented at last, holding his head as he rose, dizzy with
the ache.
"Look here, Lady Rose," he said, falling back into a sitting posture
at the first attempt, "where's my writing-case? If I go off my
head, will you give this to the Rector, and ask him if it will be
any good in the matter he knows of?" and he handed her an envelope.
"And this keep," he added, giving her one addressed to his father.
"Don't let him have it till it's all over. You know." Then he took
up a pen and a sheet of paper, and got as far, with a shaking hand,
as 'Dear Crank--' but there he broke down, and laid his head on the
table, groaning.
"I'll do it. What shall I say, dear Herbert?"
"Only tell her to come to me," he gasped. "Cranstoun--our old
nurse. Then I'll be no trouble."
While Mr. Bindon helped Herbert into his room, Rosamond sped home to
send for Mrs. Cranstoun, arrange for the care of the new patient in
the intervening hours, and fetch some of those alleviations of which
experience had taught the use. Mr. Bindon came to meet her on her
return, carefully shutting the door, and saying, "Lady Rosamond, can
he be delirious already? He is talking of being plucked for his
Ordination."
"Too true," said Rosamond. "I thought it a great shame to be so
hard on a man with _that_ in him; but I believe you expected it?"
"No; I may have said he would fail, but I never expected it."
"Fail, indeed! Fancy a man being turned back who has worked night
and day--night and day--doing all the very hardest services--never
resting! Very likely killing himself!" cried Rosamond hotly. "May
I come back to him? Terry can spare me, and if you will go to
Wil'sbro' I'll stay till my husband comes, or the doctor. The
Sisters will tell you what to do."
Herbert was, however, so much more comfortable for being in bed,
that he was able to give Mr. Bindon directions as to the immediate
cares at Wil'sbro'; but he was distressed at occupying Lady Rose,
his great object being to be no trouble to anybody, though he had
seen so much of the disease as to have been fully aware that it had
been setting in for the last two days, yet his resolution to spare
his Rector had kept him afoot till he had seen other help arrive.
He declared that he wanted nobody but Rollo, who could fetch and
carry, and call any one, if only the doors were open, and really the
creature's wistful eyes and gentle movements justified the
commendation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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