Mrs. Broderick nodded in a sympathising way--she knew the joy of these small economies and contrivances; the little purse of savings had not been gathered together without some self-denial; but as she saw the lovely rainbow smile on Olivia"s face, she felt that she had her reward.
"This is my red-letter day," she said, quaintly; "it is always a red-letter day when I can really help someone. I have my black-letter days when I can do nothing special, when it is all noughts and crosses in my diary, I have had my Christmas treat beforehand, and I shall be quite happy till bed-time thinking about Dot"s pelisse and the new hat-tr.i.m.m.i.n.g; by-the-bye, what colour is the pelisse to be?"
"Blue, baby is so fair, and blue suits her best; I think I shall get some cotton-backed velvet just to trim it;--I must not dream of fur."
"How would miniver look round the cape and neck? I have two or three yards in very good condition. Deb picked it off my wadded satin mantle years ago. I was keeping it for some special occasion. If you buy a really good cashmere, and trim it with my old miniver, Dot will have a grand pelisse," and then Mrs. Broderick hunted in her key-basket for a certain key, and instructed her niece to unlock a drawer in her wardrobe.
It was growing late by this time, and Olivia was obliged to take her leave. Marcus had promised to be back by seven, and it was six o"clock now; but as she walked briskly through the quiet streets she felt as light-hearted as a child.
What a happy evening she and Marcus would spend! There would be no need now to tell him about Martha, or to beg him to give her the few shillings for Dot"s pelisse; he should have a nice tea. Aunt Madge had made her take a couple of the new-laid eggs and a pot of Deb"s delicious marmalade home with her, and she knew how Marcus would enjoy the little treat.
"Dear Aunt Madge, how I love her? I think she is the very best woman in the world;" but here Olivia gave a surprised start. She had reached the print-shop at the corner of Harbut Street, and in the strong glare of the gas-lamp she distinctly saw the tall, bent form of her mysterious neighbour.
He was coming out of the shop, and walking stiffly and with difficulty in the direction of his house. She had never known him out so late before. His afternoon walk was always timed for him to be back by four. She glanced at the shop window, but there was no picture of "The Prodigal Son" to be seen.
Had he bought it? Was this the reason why he was out so late? Olivia felt a little anxious as she noticed how feebly he walked; the greasy pavements were rather slippery, and Galvaston Terrace was not a well-lighted thoroughfare. Perhaps it was nonsense, but she would not enter her house until she had seen him safely across the road, and within the lion-guarded portals.
It was just kindly womanly instinct, but all her life long Olivia was glad that she had yielded to that impulse. She was still standing upon the step, and the old man was nearly across the road, when she saw him slip. A piece of orange-peel on the curb had escaped him in the darkness, and he had put his foot on the slippery substance. Olivia gave a quick exclamation as she saw him try to recover his balance, and then fall forward rather heavily. No one was pa.s.sing just then, and happily the road was clear of vehicles. Olivia ran across and picked up his stick, then she took him by the arm and helped him to rise.
"I trust you have not hurt yourself," she said, anxiously. "Please do not be afraid of leaning on me, I am very strong. Ah," as the old man uttered a groan, "you have injured yourself in some way. The curb is rather steep just here."
"It is my ankle, but I must get home somehow. You are very good, madam; if you will allow me to take your arm, I think I can manage those few yards. I live there," pointing to the grim doorway.
"Yes, I know: Mr. Gaythorne, of Galvaston House; we are neighbours of yours, and I have seen you come out of the house frequently. Shall I ring the bell for you, and perhaps"--hesitating a little, as though she were taking a liberty--"you will allow me to go as far as the hall-door with you."
But to her alarm the old man suddenly stood still. It was pitchy dark under the overhanging trees, and only a faint gleam from a large bow window showed her the length of the garden-path that they would have to traverse.
"I can do no more," he said, faintly; "I believe I have broken my ankle. Mrs. Crampton and the maids must find some way of getting me in. Perhaps, madam, you will be so good as to explain the matter to them. I see the door is open," and Olivia at once left him and went up to the house.
"Your master has met with a slight accident," she said to the astonished maid. "He has fallen and hurt his foot, and it is quite impossible for him to walk up to the house. He mentioned Mrs.
Crampton; perhaps you will ask her what is to be done," and the girl, a good-natured, buxom country la.s.s, at once ran off.
Olivia stood patiently for a few minutes. The hall with its handsome rugs and blazing fire looked delightfully inviting. A lean, old hound, stretched on a tiger skin, turned its head and then rose stiffly and came towards her. As its slender nose touched her dress, she saw the poor thing was blind. The next moment a cheerful-looking, grey-haired woman hurried towards her, followed by two maids.
"What is it that Phoebe tells me, ma"am; Mr. Gaythorne has met with an accident? Times out of number I have begged and prayed him not to go out alone; but he was not to be persuaded."
"He is down there by the gate, the trees hide him," returned Olivia, hastily. "I think it would be best to take an arm-chair, if you think we could carry him in. He is in dreadful pain and cannot walk a step farther."
"Phoebe, tell cook to light the lantern, and then you two girls bring one of the study chairs--the lantern first, mind.
"Now, ma"am, perhaps we had better find my master, and the la.s.ses will follow us. There are four of us, and Mr. Gaythorne is not so very heavy, and we will have him on the library couch in no time."
CHAPTER IV.
DR. LUTTRELL"S FIRST PATIENT.
"Sudden the worst, turns the best to the brave,"--_Browning_.
Olivia felt as if she were dreaming as she followed the little procession down the dark garden-path. Once she pinched her wrist slightly to a.s.sure herself that she was awake. Mrs. Crampton held the lantern, and the cook and the two maids carried the arm-chair, with jolting uneven footsteps, that brought a suppressed groan to Mr.
Gaythorne"s lips. As they lifted him on the couch he looked so white that Olivia thought he was going to faint, and begged the housekeeper to give him some wine; he was evidently in severe pain.
"It would be better not to touch the foot until the doctor comes," she observed. And then Mrs. Crampton looked perplexed.
"My master does not hold with doctors, ma"am. I don"t remember one ever crossing the threshold since poor Miriam had typhoid fever. The foot is swelling already, and it will be a job to get the boot off.
Ah, I thought so"--as Mr. Gaythorne winced and motioned her away--"he will be afraid of one touching it!"
"My husband lives just opposite--the corner house with the red lamp in Harbut Street. He is a doctor and very clever, and I am nearly sure that he is in just now." Olivia spoke a little breathlessly and anxiously; then she bent over the old man.
"If Mrs. Crampton does not know of another doctor would you mind one of the maids running across the road for Dr. Luttrell? You are suffering so much, and your foot ought to be treated at once. It is impossible for any one to know if it be only a sprain until the boot is removed.
You fell so heavily that perhaps a small bone might be broken."
"Yes--send--send," returned the invalid, irritably. "Clear the room, Crampton. You know that I hate to have a parcel of women round me.--There is no need for you to go, madam"--with an attempt at civility as Olivia was about to withdraw at this plain speaking. "Give the lady a chair, Phoebe."
But Olivia, who had excellent tact, only smiled pleasantly, and shook her head.
"I think it will be best for me to send the doctor across, there is nothing that I can do for you until he comes."
She took the old man"s hand as she spoke and pressed it gently.
"I am so sorry to leave you in such pain, but I hope you will soon be relieved. Perhaps you will not mind my inquiring another day, but a stranger is only in the way to-night."
Olivia"s soft, well-modulated voice was so full of kindly sympathy, that Mr. Gaythorne opened his weary eyes again.
"Thank you," was all he said; but he watched her keenly as she crossed the long room.
Olivia walked so quickly that she was almost out of breath when she reached her own door. The dining-room looked cold and comfortless.
Martha was on her knees before the fireplace trying to revive the blackened embers with the help of the kitchen bellows, and Dr.
Luttrell, with a tired face and puckered brow, was watching the proceedings somewhat impatiently. A tallow candle was guttering uncomfortably on the table.
"Is the fire out? Oh, Marcus, I am so sorry, but Martha and I will soon put things to rights. Will you go across to Galvaston House at once, please?"--and here Olivia"s voice was full of suppressed excitement. "Mr. Gaythorne has slipped against the curb and hurt his foot; he is in great pain. I have been helping him, and then I said I would send you. I have left the gate open so you can just go up to the door."
Marcus listened to these details with an astonished face; then he caught up his black bag and nodded acquiescence. The tired frown left his face, and he moved away with his quiet, professional step.
Olivia watched him from the doorstep. As she closed the door after him, she could have clapped her hands with sheer delight and excitement. It was her doing that Marcus had his first patient. Those foolish maids would never have thought of sending for him. Dot was awake and singing to herself in her usual chuckling fashion in the firelight, but Olivia had no time to play with her pet.
"The bellows are no good, Martha," she said, quickly. "You must just fetch a bundle of sticks and a newspaper, and relay the fire, while I kindle the lamp and set the table for tea; the room feels like a vault."
"There is a good fire in the kitchen, ma"am, if you want to make toast," observed Martha, rising reluctantly from her knees; "I have been ironing Miss Baby"s pinnys." Olivia, who was drawing the heavy curtain across the window, was relieved to hear this.
In another quarter of an hour the little room wore a more cheerful aspect. The sticks crackled and blazed l.u.s.tily; the green-shaded lamp diffused a mellow light. The tea-tray was set and the plate of French toast was frizzling gently on a bra.s.s trivet. At the sound of her master"s footstep Martha had orders to fill up the teapot and boil the eggs.
After this Olivia played with Dot, and undressed her, and then brought her in to say good-night to her father. But she waxed sleepy long before he let himself in with his latch-key.
Marcus paused on the threshold a moment as though something struck him.
Olivia"s face looked fair and sweet as she sat in her low chair with the sleepy child in her arms. She put back her head with a soft questioning smile as he bent down to kiss her face.