A smile of unaffected
pleasure lit up his features as he removed the stopper from one
particularly pungent mixture.
[Illustration: "Sniffing at their contents."]
"Two tablespoonfuls three times a day," he read, slowly. "When did you
have the last, Swann? Shall I ring for the nurse?"
The invalid shook his head impatiently. "You're an ungrateful dog," he
muttered, "or you would tell me how your affair is going. Have you got
any chance?"
"You're getting light-headed now," said Hardy, calmly. "I'd better go."
"All right, go then," responded the invalid; "but if you lose that girl
just for the want of a little skilled advice from an expert, you'll never
forgive yourself--I'm serious."
"Well, you must be ill then," said the younger man, with anxiety.
"Twice," said Mr. Swann, lying on his back and apparently addressing the
ceiling, "twice I have given this young man invaluable assistance, and
each time he has bungled."
Hardy laughed and, the nurse returning to the room, bade him "good-bye"
and departed. After the close atmosphere of the sick room the air was
delicious, and he walked along slowly, deep in thought.
Pages:
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52