She was convinced of one fact at the least. She had counted
her chicks before they were hatched; it appeared impossible, in the
face of what she had witnessed, that Mark could entertain the shadow of
a regard for her. Still, it was obvious that he knew nothing more
about Bridget's movements than Jimmy or Colonel Faversham, who made a
valiant effort to change the subject by asking Mark whether he had
anything to do. As it happened, he was quite busy in his incipient
way. Sir Wilford Scones was seriously ill, and Randolph Messeter had
been called in for a consultation. There would probably be an
operation before the week ended. With the deliberate intention of
creating a favourable impression on the colonel, for whose daughter's
hand he was on the point of asking, Mark explained that Harefield's
practice was turning out far better than could have been expected. Now
and then he glanced significantly at Carrissima, who might have bidden
him "good-bye" very happily if Bridget Rosser had never entered her
life.
The next morning, at about twelve o'clock, Mark was in his
consulting-room when Jimmy was announced.
Pages:
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211