Windows were thrown open, fires reduced or discontinued, loads of
bed-clothes removed, cooling drinks superseded mulled wine and spices.
The sick-nurses cried out murder. Doctors Tourniquet and Lancelot
retired in disgust, menacing something like a general pestilence, in
vengeance of what they termed rebellion against the neglect of the
aphorisms of Hippocrates. Hartley proceeded quietly and steadily, and
the patients got into a fair road of recovery.
The young Northumbrian was neither conceited nor artful; yet, with all
his plainness of character, he could not but know the influence which a
successful physician obtains over the parents of the children whom he
has saved from the grave, and especially before the cure is actually
completed. He resolved to use this influence in behalf of his old
companion, trusting that the military tenacity of General Witherington
would give way on consideration of the obligation so lately conferred
upon him.
On his way to the General's house, which was at present his constant place
of residence, he examined the package which Middlemas had put into his
hand. It contained the picture of Menie Gray, plainly set, and the ring,
with brilliants, which Doctor Gray had given to Richard, as his mother's
last gift. The first of these tokens extracted from honest Hartley a sigh,
perhaps a tear of sad remembrance. "I fear," he said, "she has not chosen
worthily; but she shall be happy, if I can make her so.
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