"That means--the worst," she said, her clasped fingers speaking the language of despair. "Oh, Doctor, you who know so much, can"t you help him? Think, think of everything; there must be something! Only do your best, do your utmost; you will, won"t you?"
His deep, grave eyes answered her silently as he took both her little clasped hands in his one strong one, saying simply,--
"Trust me, but only so far as lies within my human power. He is somewhat eased, and asks for you. Look at your mother: she is surpa.s.sing herself; if your love for him can achieve one half such a conquest, you will but be making good your inheritance. I shall be in again at one, and will send some medicines up at once." He ended in his usual businesslike tone, and walked hastily downstairs.
There was perfect quiet in the room as Ruth entered. Propped high by many pillows, Jules Levice lay in his bed; his wife"s arm was about him; his head rested on her bosom; with her one disengaged hand she smoothed his white hair. Never was the difference between them more marked than now, when her beautiful face shone above his, which had the touch of the destroyer already upon it; never was the love between them more marked than now, when he leaned in his weakness upon her who had never failed him in all their wedded years.
His eyes were half closed as if in rest; but he heard her enter, and Mrs. Levice felt the tremor that thrilled him as Ruth approached.
"My child."
The softly whispered love-name of old made her tremble; she smiled through her tears, but when his feeble arms strove to draw her to him, she stooped, and laying them about her neck, placed her cheek upon his.
For some minutes these three remained knit in a close embrace; love, strong and tender, spoke and answered in that silence.
"It is good to be at home," he said, speaking with difficulty.
"It was not home without you, dear," murmured his wife, laying her lips softly upon his forehead. Ruth, kneeling beside the bed, noticed how loosely the dark signet-ring he wore hung upon his slender finger.
"You look ill, my Ruth," he said, after a pause. "Lay my head down, Esther love; you must be tired. Sit before me, dear, I want to see your two faces together."
His gaunt eyes flitted from one to the other.
"It is a fair picture to take with one," he whispered.
"To keep with one," softly trembled his wife"s voice; his eyes met hers in a commiserating smile.
Suddenly he started up.
"Ruth," he gasped, "will you go to Louis? He must be worn out."
She left the room hurriedly. Her faint knock was not immediately answered, and she called softly; receiving no reply, she turned the k.n.o.b, which yielded to her hand. Sunbeams danced merrily about the room of the young man, who sat in their light in a dejected att.i.tude. He evidently had made no change in his toilet; and as Ruth stood unnoticed beside him, her eyes wandered over his gray, unshaven face, travel-stained and weary to a degree. She laid her hand upon his shoulder.
"Louis," she called gently.
He shook under her touch, but made no further sign that he knew of her presence.
"You must be so tired, Louis," she continued sympathetically.
It may have been the words, it may have been the tone, it may have been that she touched some hidden thought, for suddenly, without premonition, his breast heaved, and he sobbed heavily as only a man can sob.
She started back in pain. That such emotion could so unstring Louis Arnold was a marvel. It did not last long; and as he rose from his chair he spoke in his accustomed, quiet tone.
"Forgive my unmanliness," he said; "it was kind of you to come to me."
"You look very ill, Louis; can"t I bring you something to refresh you, or will you lie down?"
"We shall see; is there anything you wish to ask me?
"Nothing."
After a pause he said,--
"You must not be hopeless; he is in good hands, and everything that can be done will be done. Is he resting now?"
"Yes; if to breathe like that is to rest. Oh, Louis, when I think how for months he has suffered alone, it almost drives me crazy."
"Why think of it, then? Or, if you must, remember that in his surpa.s.sing unselfishness he saved you much anxiety; for you could not have helped him."
"Not with our sympathy?"
"Not him, Ruth; to know that you suffered for him was--would have been his crowning sorrow. Is there anything I can do now?"
"No, only think of yourself for a moment; perhaps you can rest a little, for you need it, dear."
A flame of color burned in his cheek at the unusual endearment.
"I shall bring you a cup of tea presently," she said as she left him.
The morning pa.s.sed into afternoon. Silence hung upon the house. A card had been pinned under the door-bell; and the many friends, who in the short time since the sick man"s arrival had heard of his illness, dropped in quietly and left as they came.
Dr. Kemp came in after luncheon. Mr. Levice was sleeping,--in all truth, one could say easily, but the doctor counted much from the rest. He expected Dr. H----- for a consultation. This he had done as a voucher and a sort of comforting a.s.surance that nothing would be left undone.
Dr. H----- came in blandly; he went out gravely. There was little to be said.
Kemp walked thoughtfully upstairs after his colleague had left, and went straight to Arnold"s room. The freedom of the house was his; he seemed to have established himself here simply through his earnestness and devotion.
"Mr. Arnold," he said to the Frenchman, who quickly rose from his desk, "I want you to prepare your aunt and your cousin for the worst. You know this; but if he should have a spell of coughing, the end might be sudden."
A cold pallor overspread Louis"s face at the confirmation of his secret fears.
He bowed slightly and cleared his throat before answering.
"There will be no necessity," he said; "my uncle intends doing so himself."
"He must not hasten it by excitement," said Kemp, moving toward the door.
"That is unavoidable," returned Arnold. "You must know he had an object in hurrying home."
"I did not know; but I shall prevent any unnecessary effort to speak. If you can do this for him, will you not?"
"I cannot."
"And you know what it is in detail?"
"I do."
"Then for his sake--"
"And for the others, he must be allowed to speak."