He must have known that I loved him--yes, I have been weak enough to let
him see that--and I think that once he used to like me a little--in those
old happy days when he came so often to Maidenhead. Yes, I believe he
almost loved me then."
And then the thought that this man was lying desperately ill, perhaps in
danger of death, blotted out every other thought. It was so bitter to
know him in peril, and to be powerless to go to him; worse than useless
to him were she by his side, since it was another whose image haunted his
wandering brain--another whose voice he longed to hear.
She spent a sleepless melancholy night, and had no rest next day, until a
commissionnaire brought her a brief note from Gilbert Fenton, telling her
that if there were any change at all in the patient, it was on the side
of improvement.
CHAPTER XXXV.
BOUGHT WITH A PRICE.
Ellen Carley was not allowed any time to take back the promise given to
her father, had she been inclined to do so. Mr. Whitelaw made his
appearance at the Grange early in the evening of the 2nd of January, with
a triumphant simper upon his insipid countenance, which was inexpressibly
provoking to the unhappy girl. It was clear to her, at first sight of
him, that her father had been at Wyncomb that afternoon, and her hateful
suitor came secure of success.
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