"Yes; it is quite necessary; and you, too, will come back like a lioness refreshed, ready to battle with our troubles here. Look, that woman wants you," he continued, nodding toward Maria's bed. "Don't spoil her too much. She's an ungrateful baggage. I've noticed her. Behaves to you as if you were her servant."

"Oh, I do not mind," said the nurse, smiling. "That's right. Neither do I, for we've made a splendid cure of it, nurse. It's a perfect triumph for science. I shall have to read a paper upon her case at the Inst.i.tution. Morning. I shall insist upon your going away soon."

Sir Denton went out of the ward in a quick, energetic way, and Nurse Elisia crossed to Maria's bed. "Did you want me?" she said gently.

"Yes, of course I did. It's too bad for you to stop away talking to the doctor so long."

"Sir Denton was giving me instructions partly," said the nurse.

"Yes, partly," said the woman maliciously. "Things go on at hospitals that wouldn't be allowed in a gentleman's house, I can tell you."

The nurse's eyes flashed, but her voice was unchanged as she said quietly:

"What did you wish me to do for you?"

"Oh, you needn't turn it off. I'm not blind. I've seen and noticed a deal while I've been lying here. Isn't it time I had my meat jelly?"

"No," said the nurse quietly. "I should have brought it to you if it had been time."

"I don't know so much about that. Never mind. I shall soon be fit to go, and precious glad of it."

"Yes, it will be a great relief for you to get away."

"And so Mr Neil's going for a holiday down home. I suppose he can't stop away any longer without running down to see his sweetheart.

Shouldn't wonder if he got married before he comes back."

She gazed in the nurse's face with eyes full of low-cla.s.s cunning, expecting to see there a peculiar shrinking--the wincing of one found out. But the countenance into which she gazed was perfectly calm and unruffled.

"Can I do anything more for you?"

"No; not now. Thank ye," said the woman ungraciously; "I'm going to have a nap."

"Do," said the nurse, rearranging the pillow. "If you do not find that it interferes with your night's rest, sleep as much as you can. It gives nature a better opportunity to build up your strength again."

"Yes; but I'm not blind," said Maria to herself, as she saw the nurse go and bend over another patient, and try to alleviate her sufferings.

"I've been long enough in the world to know what's what. I've seen too much here. She's a nasty, artful one. She's playing the fine lady, and mincing and using big words, and trying to lead Mr Neil on till he is getting ever so stupid over her, and then she looks up at him as meek and innocent as a lamb, and as much as to say: `Oh, my! what do you mean?' Wait till I get home again, and master shall know all about it, and if he don't put a stop to it pretty sharp, my name isn't Maria.

Such impudence! A common hospital nurse trying to lead him on. Ugh! I hate the smooth, whitefaced thing, dressed up in her starchy cap and collar and cuffs, and making believe to be so superior. Oh, how I should like to see Miss Saxa have a turn at her. I'll tell her; that I will. I haven't patience with the creature; and as for Mr Neil, he ought to be ashamed of himself."

Nurse Elisia was having her fit of musing about the same time, and her face for the moment looked troubled and strange.

CHAPTER THREE.

NEIL AT HOME.

"Morning, Elthorne. Had breakfast?"

"No," said Alison, as he patted the neck of Sir Cheltnam's horse, just reined up in front of the house. "No one down yet but the gov'nor and Isabel."

"Isabel?" said the baronet eagerly. "Where is she?"

"Garden, I think. No, no. Don't go after her. You'll only scare her away. If you want that to come off, you must be careful. There, walk your horse round and come in to breakfast."

"Had it."

"Then come and have another. We shan't start for our ride these two hours."

"Oh, hang it! Mr Elthorne said he wanted me to see him put his horse through his paces. He's not quite satisfied with his deal."

"Yes, and ride alongside of Isabel."

"Humph--perhaps."

"And look here, young man, if you don't wish to develop a row you had better be a little more attentive."

"I should be attentive enough, but your sister seems to prefer the attentions of the parson's boy."

"What, Beck? Oh, he's n.o.body. Besides, he'll be off to sea directly, and you'll be married and have a family before he comes back. That is, if--"

"If? What do you mean?"

"The governor has not thrown you over, and Neil has not knocked your head off."

"Propound, O, Sphinx. Read me the riddle."

"I mean that if the governor sees you so attentive to Saxa, he'll cry off, and if Neil notices it he will pitch into you. I should if I saw you hanging after Dana as you do after her sister."

"Rubbish, man! A few civil words to a lady who rides well."

"Sort of civil words the dad does not understand in his quiet, old-fashioned way. I suppose it is to be Isabel, is it not?"

"Of course; that is understood."

"Very well, then, behave yourself, and don't let Neil see anything, for he is as hot and peppery as--"

"You are."

"If you like. He's down, you know."

"Who is? Your brother?"

"Yes. Came down by the mail, and got in here by three this morning, I suppose. I have not seen him yet."

"Well, I like that," said Sir Cheltnam.

"Like what?"

"Your lecturing me about being inattentive to your sister. Here's the blue-jacket again."

"What nonsense! He has always been like one of us. We were schoolboys together, and he has come here, as Neil and I used to go to the vicarage, just as if it was our own home."