Мертвая комната. Уровень 2 / The Dead Secret. Уилки Коллинз

against a bronze statuette of a dog. The statuette fell to the ground.

      “Oh!” exclaimed Mrs. Norbury. “The dog is not hurt – put it back again! Well, as I was saying, this lady is the daughter of Captain Treverton, whose dreadful shipwreck we all read about in the papers. I knew her father in my early days, and I am doubly anxious to be of service to her now. Think again. Is there anybody to nurse her? I am so anxious to help this poor lady through her difficulty, if I can.”

      “I am very sorry,” said Mrs. Jazeph, “very sorry that I can think of no one who is fit; but – ”

      She stopped.

      “But what?” asked Mrs. Norbury.

      “Ma'am,” answered Mrs. Jazeph, “I can nurse her if you allow.”

      “What, nurse her yourself!” exclaimed Mrs. Norbury. “I see your kindness of heart and your readiness to make yourself useful. Of course I am not so selfish, under the circumstances, as to think twice of the inconvenience of losing my housekeeper. But have you ever had any practice in nursing?”

      “Yes, ma'am,” answered Mrs. Jazeph. “Shortly after my marriage” (the flush disappeared, and her face turned pale again as she said those words), “I had some practice in nursing, and continued it at intervals until the time of my husband's death.”

      “What do you say, Mr. Orridge?” asked Mrs. Norbury.

      “I gratefully accept your kindness and your housekeeper's offer,” he said.

      “Mr. Orridge accepts your offer with thanks,” said Mrs. Norbury.

      A gleam of joyful surprise broke over the housekeeper's face.

      “When will my attendance be required, Sir?” she asked.

      “As soon as possible,” replied Mr. Orridge. “I suppose you have some preparations to make?” The doctor took his hat and bowed to Mrs. Norbury.

      “Come to the Tiger's Head, and ask for me. I shall be there between seven and eight. Many thanks again, Mrs. Norbury.”

      “My best wishes and compliments to your patient, doctor.”

      “At the Tiger's Head, between seven and eight this evening,” reiterated Mr. Orridge, as the housekeeper opened the door for him.

      “Between seven and eight, Sir,” repeated the soft, sweet voice.

      Chapter IX

      At seven o'clock Mr. Orridge put on his hat to go to the Tiger's Head. He opened his own door, when a messenger summoned him immediately to a case of sudden illness in the poor quarter of the town. So he delayed his attendance for a little while at the inn. The performance of his professional duty occupied some time. It was a quarter to eight before he left his house, for the second time, on his way to the Tiger's Head.

      The new nurse was waiting for him. Mrs. Jazeph was sitting alone in the corner far from the window. He was rather surprised to see that she drew her veil down.

      What feeling was she anxious to conceal?

      “Please follow me,” said Mr. Orridge, “I will take you to Mrs. Frankland immediately.”

      Mrs. Jazeph rose slowly.

      “You seem tired,” Mr. Orridge said.

      “No, Sir.”

      There was some restraint in her voice as she made that answer; and still she never attempted to lift her veil.

      The room which Mrs. Frankland occupied was situated at the back of the house. It had one window, the bed stood in the middle of the room.

      “How do you find yourself[19] tonight, Mrs. Frankland?” asked Mr. Orridge. He undrew the curtains. “Do you think you will be any the worse for a little circulation of air?”