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Page 61
CHAPTER XXIII.
"I simply tell thee peril is at hand,
And would preserve thee!"
BYRON.
Two days later the cousins sat in their front room, Florence intently
reading, Mary watching beside the couch of pain, bathing her aunt's
brow, and chafing the hands. Aunt Lizzy was suffering from violent
nervous headache: all day she had tossed restlessly about, and now,
soothed by the gentle touches on her brow, had fallen asleep. Her
fingers had tightly clasped Mary's small, thin hands, but gradually
relaxing their hold, sunk beside her. Softly smoothing back the
disordered hair, the young nurse failed to perceive the entrance of
Dr. Bryant, and only looked up when a beautiful bouquet of flowers
was laid upon her lap. The feverish glow deepened on her cheek as she
warmly thanked him.
"I am glad you like them, Miss Irving."
"How could I do otherwise?"
"My bunch is equally beautiful," cried Florence, holding it up for
inspection. "Pray, Doctor, how came you so thoroughly acquainted with
our different tastes? You have selected admirably."
"I am gratified at succeeding so happily in my arrangement of them.
But I hope your aunt is not seriously indisposed?"
"No, merely a bad nervous attack, to which she is subject."
"Miss Mary, as you are free from apprehension on her account, can you
take a short ride this evening? I have a gentle horse at the gate, and
if you will trust yourself with me, I think a good canter will benefit
you exceedingly: will you go?"
Mary sought Florence's eye; it brightened with pleasure.
"Certainly, Mary; why do you hesitate? I am very glad Dr. Bryant
suggested it; I will take good care of aunt, and the ride will
doubtless benefit you."
"You are very kind, Doctor; I will only detain you while I change my
dress." And she withdrew.
"Don't you think she looks much better to-day?" asked Florence,
anxiously, as her cousin left the room.
"She has certainly more color, but I am afraid it is only a feverish
glow. Let me entreat you, Miss Hamilton, to watch over her with the
greatest care: the slightest exposure might cause a return of that
terrible cough, and in her feeble state I fear for the consequences."
"She has grown very, very thin, within the last month; but then, when
warm weather comes again, I doubt not she will grow rosy and strong
once more." They both sighed heavily, as though against conviction
each had striven to cheer the other.
Mary re-entered the room equipped for her ride, and now, for the first
time, Florence thought her cousin beautiful. Beneath her straw hat
floated back from her fair face a luxuriant mass of brown curls; a
bright blush mantled the delicate cheek, and the gentle blue eyes
seemed unusually large and brilliant. A smile dimpled round her lip as
she met the fond glance bent upon her. Florence tenderly clasped her
hand a moment, then kissed her warmly, and bade Dr. Bryant take all
care of her. He promised to do so, and soon they had passed beyond her
sight. They rode slowly, lest Mary should be too much fatigued; and
often the eyes of her companion rested on the frail but lovely being
by his side.
"Which way shall we ride?"
"If you have no preference, suppose we go to San Pedro?"
"You could not have selected more in accordance with my own wishes."
A long silence ensued, broken only by the clatter of their horses'
hoofs along the gravel path.
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