Page:The Yellow Book - 04.djvu/80

70 lifted the reviving body to the sofa. The blood renewed its course in the arteries, and she opened her eyes dully and closed them again.

The entrance of the doctor dispelled for a while the gloomy thoughts that environed him. The man was a stranger, but was welcomed as an intimate.

"She has had a shock," said Farrell. "You will understand. It was my doing," he added.

The sharp change from the dreadful reveries of his solitude turned Farrell to a different creature. He was animated with action; he bustled about on errands; he ran for brandy, and his legs bore him everywhere, hardly with his knowledge. And as the examination proceeded he grew strangely cheerful, watching the face of the physician and drawing inferences to his fancy. He laughed lightly at the doubt if she could be lifted to her room.

"Yes, of course," said he.

"The stairs are steep, sir," said Letty's maid.

He smiled, and drew back the cuffs from his strong wrists. Stooping, he picked up his wife lightly, and strode upstairs.

As the doctor was leaving, Farrell waylaid him in the hall, and took him to the door. The visitor drew on his gloves and spoke of the weather; the sky threatened rain again and the night was growing black. Farrell agreed with him hurriedly, adding a few remarks of no interest, as though to preserve that air of unconcern which the doctor seemed to take for granted; and then, with his hand on the door, abruptly touched his subject.

"Is there any danger?" he asked.

The doctor paused and buttoned his glove.

"She is very sensitive," said the doctor. "It was my doing," said Farrell after a moment, dropping his eyes to the floor. "It