“For I have just seen the doctor,” she cried, “and he says that it is a question not even of days, but of hours. Good heavens, child! only think of it,--that such a thing should happen here; and that Markham--_Markham!_--should have to manage everything. Oh, it is indecent--there is no other word for it. Go and call him to me. We must get him to go away.”
“Mamma,” said Frances, “how can I go back? He told me to go and leave them.”
“He is a fool,” cried Lady Markham, stamping her foot. “He does not see how he is committing himself; he does not mind. Oh, what does it matter what he said to you! Run at once and bring him to me. Say I have something urgent to tell him. Say--oh, say anything! If Constance had been here, she would have known.”
Frances was very sensible to the arrow thus flung at her in haste, without thought. She was so stung by it, that she turned hastily to do her mother’s commission at all costs. But before she had taken half-a-dozen steps, Markham himself appeared, coming leisurely, easily, with his usual composure, round the corner. “What’s wrong with you, little un?” he asked. “You are not vexed at what I said to you, Fan? I couldn’t help it, my dear.”
And then Lady Markham, too much excited to wait, came out to join them. “Do you know the state of affairs, Markham? Does she know? I want you to go off instantly, without losing a moment, to Southampton, to fetch Dr Howard. Quick! There is just time to get the boat.”
“Dr Howard? What is wrong with the man here?”
“He is afraid of the responsibility--at least I am, Markham. Think--in your house! Oh yes, my dear, go without delay.”
Markham paused, and looked at her with his keen little eyes. “Mother, why don’t you say at once you want to get me out of the way?”
“I do. I don’t deny it, Markham. But this too. We ought to have another opinion. Do, for any favour, what I ask you, dear; oh, do it! Oh yes, I would rather you sent him here, and did not come back with him. But come back, if you must; only, go, go now.”
“You think he will be--dead before I could get back? I will telegraph for Dr Howard, mother; but I will not go away.”
“You can do no good, Markham--except to make people talk. Oh, for mercy’s sake, whatever you may do afterwards, go now.”