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Chapter II. The 16th and 17th of July
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CynthiaandIwentandsatbytheopenwindowinthedrawing-room.MaryCavendishbroughtourcoffeetous.Sheseemedexcited.
“Doyouyoungpeoplewantlights,ordoyouenjoythetwilight?”sheasked.“WillyoutakeMrs.Inglethorphercoffee,Cynthia?Iwillpouritout.”
“Donottrouble,Mary,”saidInglethorp.“IwilltakeittoEmily.”Hepoureditout,andwentoutoftheroomcarryingitcarefully.
Lawrencefollowedhim,andMrs.Cavendishsatdownbyus.
Wethreesatforsometimeinsilence.Itwasagloriousnight,hotandstill.Mrs.Cavendishfannedherselfgentlywithapalmleaf.
“It’salmosttoohot,”shemurmured.“Weshallhaveathunderstorm.”
Alas,thattheseharmoniousmomentscanneverendure!Myparadisewasrudelyshatteredbythesoundofawellknown,andheartilydisliked,voiceinthehall.
“Dr.Bauerstein!”exclaimedCynthia.“Whatafunnytimetocome.”
IglancedjealouslyatMaryCavendish,butsheseemedquiteundisturbed,thedelicatepallorofhercheeksdidnotvary.
Inafewmoments,AlfredInglethorphadusheredthedoctorin,thelatterlaughing,andprotestingthathewasinnofitstateforadrawing-room.Intruth,hepresentedasorryspectacle,beingliterallyplasteredwithmud.
“Whathaveyoubeendoing,doctor?”criedMrs.Cavendish.
“Imustmakemyapologies,”saidthedoctor.“Ididnotreallymeantocomein,butMr.Inglethorpinsisted.”
“Well,Bauerstein,youareinaplight,”saidJohn,strollinginfromthehall
