CHAPTER XX.

LINGERING ON.

NOR did she. During many weeks following, the little slim lady neatly accommodated herself to her new position, appealed to Gwendoline on all occasions, came and went as she was desired, did as she was told, and seemed quite as well content to be second as to be first. Truly she showed single-hearted devotion, though to no worthy aim. If the four thousand pounds might not be doubled, Miss Withers was at least determined that there should be no loophole of a further reason for the legacy being halved or done away with altogether.

The motive was a powerful one with Miss Withers, and it acted powerfully on her conduct, as such baser motives not seldom do. Pride and love of managing went down before it. A more submissive and unobtrusive yet useful attendant could hardly have been found.

Gwendoline, in her comparative inexperience, found Miss Withers an assistant of no small value. If Miss Withers felt resentment towards Gwendoline, it was completely veiled. A stranger would have counted her affectionate to the older and the younger lady alike.

Had Lady Halcot passed away, as the doctor with good reason expected, in the course of the next few days or weeks, Miss Withers would have gained the object for which she had so patiently striven.

There came, however, an unlooked-for rally; not real recovery, but a partial return to something more of life and warmth. The chill sinking and exhaustion lessened; and Lady Halcot became able to take an interest in things about her once more. There was no talk of dressing, or of leaving her room, for she was far too feeble for any such exertions, yet there seemed to be an indefinite postponement of the end, once apparently so near. Mr. Fosbrook ascribed this rally in a large measure to the pleasure of the old lady in having Gwendoline with her again.

Days grew into weeks, weeks lengthened into months, and still she lingered on, sometimes better, sometimes worse. Illness had strangely broken the formerly stern and high spirit.

Lady Halcot became, as time went on, gently affectionate, patient under suffering, grateful for every attention, altogether unlike her former self. Could illness alone have worked such a change?

She was still, as ever, exceedingly reticent on religious topics. Gwendoline wondered often what might be going on below the surface, but she dared not attempt to penetrate this proof-armour of reserve. The day after her return to the sick-room, Lady Halcot had said, with a touch of nervous shyness, "If it will not fatigue you, Gwendoline, I should wish you to read me the Lessons every morning, as my eyes are now so weak."

Gwendoline had thankfully complied, throwing much earnest feeling into her low-voiced utterance of the sacred words. But no conversation on these subjects had yet become possible.

Towards the close of summer there was again a seeming advance, more marked than any preceding; and for several days Lady Halcot was able to dress partially, and to be wheeled into another room on the same floor. Gwendoline spoke of recovery in a hopeful tone, and Lady Halcot moved her head negatively. "No, my dear; it is only for a little while. But I feel stronger just now, and I am glad to feel so. There are one or two things which ought to be done."

"Not things tiring to you, I hope," said Gwendoline.

"One must be tired sometimes," Lady Halcot answered calmly. "My plan throughout life has always been to do what had to be done, and to let bodily consequences take care of themselves. But of late I have been unable to act; there has been such a lack of mental energy. I am more like myself this week."

She lay thinking for some minutes, while Gwendoline worked silently by her side. Many hours each day were spent thus by the two together, and Lady Halcot never seemed so content as when Gwendoline was her attendant. She was not, however, a selfish invalid. Regular walks and drives, and sufficient absence from the sick-room, were constantly enforced; and, despite long nursing, Gwendoline had never appeared to be in better health.

"Gwendoline, I wish you to write to Mr. Selwyn for me. Stay,—is the door shut?"

"Yes,—close."

"I do not wish to be fanciful, but precautions are occasionally needful. Some people have not quite such a delicate sense of honour as others—as one could wish. I suppose early training makes a great difference in these respects. I wish you to write to Mr. Selwyn this morning."

"Shall I at once?" asked Gwendoline.

"No, not here, but in your room,—presently, when Frith takes your place. I should like you to request him to come to me immediately,—to-morrow, if possible. Express yourself in urgent terms. I cannot tell how long this improvement will last, and I am anxious to take advantage of it without delay. Tell him from me that it is a matter of serious importance. Write the letter before you go out, and post it yourself. Say nothing to Miss Withers, if you please."

"I will take great care," Gwendoline answered quietly; no shadow of curiosity appearing in voice or look.

"You are a good girl," the old lady said. "I have entire trust in you, Gwendoline."

Tears flushed quickly into Gwendoline's eyes, and her glance was full of gratitude.

"Yes, entire trust," repeated Lady Halcot. "I know you better now than some months ago; and I would not have you other than you are in all particulars."

"I am so glad you are satisfied," Gwendoline said, in a low voice.

"I am fully satisfied. But sometimes I fear it is a dull life for you. If I were a little stronger,—not so soon shaken—"

"I am not dull now, indeed," said Gwendoline. "Ever since I have been allowed to wait upon you, I have been quite happy."

"Thanks, my dear!" and Lady Halcot's voice spoke of touched feeling. "It was not by my wish that—" Then she paused. "But no need to go into the past. We understand one another now. Yes, I believe you are happy. Yours is a contented spirit. Still, you are young, and you ought to see people sometimes. I could ask some of your friends here to pay you a visit,—Miss Dewhurst, perhaps,—but I do not feel that I could stand the fatigue. You should go home for a few weeks' change, only I hardly can resolve to spare you just now. Do you mind waiting a little longer? It will not be very long, Gwendoline."

"I could not leave you. I could not be easy away," Gwendoline answered earnestly. "Indeed, dear Lady Halcot, I do not want any visitors—except—till you are better."

"Ah, that will not be," Lady Halcot answered.

"Except my mother!" had been the words on Gwendoline's lips. "If only my mother might come!" she longed to say. Yet, somehow, she could not quite resolve to speak out. She had such a dread—perhaps almost a cowardly dread—of disturbing the present calm and placid relations between Lady Halcot and herself. The idea of seeing Mrs. Halcombe again seemed never to occur to the latter; though of late she had occasionally sent a message of remembrance when Gwendoline was writing home. Later in the day Gwendoline blamed herself much for not making better use of what might have been a good opportunity.

The letter was written and posted as Lady Halcot wished, Miss Withers remaining in complete ignorance of the transaction.

Next morning Lady Halcot seemed restless, and was constantly on the look-out. "Do you think he will come?" she asked often of Gwendoline, adding once, "He is a busy man. But I do not think he will disappoint me, unless compelled to do so."

"I am sure he will not," Gwendoline said. "There may be engagements which he cannot set aside."

"Yes; previous engagements. I have thought of them. But you wrote stringently? He will not disappoint me if it can be helped," she said again. "Let me know without delay if he should come."

An immediate response to her letter was more than Gwendoline ventured to expect; though, seeing the old lady's heart bent upon such a response, she was not quite without hope. A telegram, promising an early interview, seemed to her the most likely reply; but soon after midday, to her surprise, Mr. Selwyn himself drove up to the front door. Gwendoline was the first to greet him, and he was evidently gratified by her improved looks. He was soon closeted with Lady Halcot; all others, including Gwendoline, being banished.

The sudden appearance of the lawyer came plainly as a shock to Miss Withers. She looked uneasy and even unhappy the rest of the day, asking no questions, but scrutinizing sharply others' faces. Mr. Selwyn returned to London immediately after his tête-à-tête talk with the old lady, not waiting even for luncheon; and as he went out of the house he was seen to rub his hands with an air of satisfaction.

A few days later he appeared again, and was a second time closeted with Lady Halcot. Moreover, Mr. Fosbrook, and also the clergyman, Mr. Rossiter, who had of late been re-admitted at the Leys and had become a frequent caller on Lady Halcot, were both present during part of this latter interview, evidently by previous arrangement.

"What has Mr. Selwyn come for?" Miss Withers inquired suspiciously of Gwendoline, prudence yielding before stronger motives.

Gwendoline was glad to be able to reply, "I do not know, Miss Withers."

She saw at once that the truthful utterance was not believed. Double people are apt to suspect others of doubleness.

"You mean that you did not expect Mr. Selwyn to come?"

"No, I did not mean that," Gwendoline answered coldly, rather astonished at the little woman's boldness. "I do not know what he has come for."

"Lady Halcot has not informed you?"

"No. If she had, the information could go no farther, Miss Withers."

"Certainly not," Miss Withers answered with an air of would-be indifference. "Still, one is at liberty to conjecture in such cases. I should suppose it to have something to do with the disposal of her property." Miss Withers' pale eyes gave one of their stealthy cat-like glances.

"Very possibly. I really see no need to trouble myself with conjectures," said Gwendoline.

"No. Certainly no need. As you say, it is useless trouble. I am not at all an inquisitive person, Miss Halcombe,—that never was my failing, I am thankful to say. But naturally I am interested in all that concerns our dear Lady Halcot."

Gwendoline allowed the dialogue to drop, and turned away in silence. She would have no collisions with Miss Withers which might be avoided.