What an ass I must have been making of myself! And I begin to think I have exaggerated the resemblance.In a day or two, I shall cease to notice it.And, look here, doctor, if she really was interested in that portrait--Here, I say--where are you going?""All right, sir," said Dr.Rob."I was merely moving a chair over to the fireside, and taking the liberty of pouring out a glass of water.Really you are becoming abnormally quick of hearing.Now I am all attention.What about the portrait?""I was only going to say, if she the nurse, you know--is really interested in my portrait of Lady Brand, there are studies of it up in the studio, which she might care to see.If she brought them here and described them to me I could explain--But, I say, doctor.Ican't have dainty young ladies in and out of my room while I'm in bed.Why shouldn't I get up and try that chair of yours? Send Simpson along; and tell him to look out my brown lounge-suit and orange tie.Good heavens! what a blessing to have the MEMORY of colours and of how they blend! Think of the fellows who are BORNblind.And please ask Miss Gray to go out in the pine wood, or on the moor, or use the motor, or rest, or do anything she likes.Tell her to make herself quite at home; but on no account to come up here until Simpson reports me ready.""You may rely on Nurse Gray to be most discreet," said Dr.Rob;whose voice had suddenly become very husky."And as for getting up, laddie, don't go too fast.You will not find your strength equal to much.But I am bound to tell you there is nothing to keep you in bed if you feel like rising.""Good-bye, doctor," said Garth, groping for his hand; "and I am sorry I shall never be able to offer to paint Mrs.Mackenzie!""You'd have to paint her with a shaggy head, four paws, and the softest amber eyes in the world," said Dr.Rob tenderly; "and, looking out from those eyes, the most faithful, loving dog-heart in creation.In all the years we've kept house together she has never failed to meet me with a welcome, never contradicted me or wanted the last word, and never worried me for so much as the price of a bonnet.There's a woman for you!--Well, good-bye, lad, and God Almighty bless you.And be careful how you go.Do not be surprised if I look in again on my way back from my rounds to see how you like that chair."Dr.Mackenzie held open the door.Jane passed noiselessly out before him.He followed, signing to her to precede him down the stairs.
In the library, Jane turned and faced him.He put her quietly into a chair and stood before her.The bright blue eyes were moist, beneath the shaggy brows.
"My dear," he said, "I feel myself somewhat of a blundering old fool.You must forgive me.I never contemplated putting you through such an ordeal.I perfectly understand that, while he hesitated, you must have felt your whole career at stake.I see you have been weeping; but you must not take it too much to heart that our patient made so much of your voice resembling this Miss Champion's.He will forget all about it in a day or two, and you will be worth more to him than a dozen Miss Champions.See what good you have done him already.Here he is wanting to get up and explain his pictures to you.Never you fear.You will soon win your way, and I shall be able to report to Sir Deryck what a fine success you have made of the case.Now I must see the valet and give him very full instructions.
And I recommend you to go for a blow on the moor and get an appetite for lunch.Only put on something warmer than that.You will have no sick-room work to do; and having duly impressed me with your washableness and serviceableness, you may as well wear something comfortable to protect you from our Highland nip.Have you warmer clothing with you?""It is the rule of our guild to wear uniform," said Jane; "but Ihave a grey merino."
"Ah, I see.Well, wear the grey merino.I shall return in two hours to observe how he stands that move.Now, don't let me keep you.""Dr.Mackenzie," said Jane quietly, "may I ask why you described me as fair; and my very straight, heavy, plainly coiled hair, as fluffy, fly-away floss-silk?"Dr.Rob had already reached the bell, but at her question he stayed his hand and, turning, met Jane's steadfast eyes with the shrewd turquoise gleam of his own.
"Why certainly you may ask, Nurse Rosemary Gray," he said, "though Iwonder you think it necessary to do so.It was of course perfectly evident to me that, for reasons of his own, Sir Deryck wished to paint an imaginary portrait of you to the patient, most likely representing some known ideal of his.As the description was so different from the reality, I concluded that, to make the portrait complete, the two touches unfortunately left to me to supply, had better be as unlike what I saw before me as the rest of the picture.
And now, if you will be good enough--" Dr.Rob rang the bell violently.
"And why did you take the risk of suggesting that he should feel me?" persisted Jane.
"Because I knew he was a gentleman," shouted Dr.Rob angrily."Oh, come in, Simpson--come in, my good fellow--and shut that door! And God Almighty be praised that He made you and me MEN, and not women!"A quarter of an hour later, Jane watched him drive away, thinking to herself: "Deryck was right.But what a queer mixture of shrewdness and obtuseness, and how marvellously it worked out to the furtherance of our plans."But as she watched the dog-cart start off at a smart trot across the moor, she would have been more than a little surprised could she have overheard Dr.Rob's muttered remarks to himself, as he gathered up the reins and cheered on his sturdy cob.He had a habit of talking over his experiences, half aloud, as he drove from case to case; the two sides of his rather complex nature apparently comparing notes with each other.And the present conversation opened thus:
"Now what has brought the Honourable Jane up here?" said Dr.Rob.
"Dashed if I know," said Dr.Mackenzie.
"You must not swear, laddie," said Dr.Rob; "you had a pious mother."
