My time was now almost up, so I asked to see my patient again, so as to assure myself that she was none the worse for her fright.
I found her with her eyes open, staring blankly at the ceiling, and, from time to time, her body would still twitch convulsively. However, she welcomed us with a smile, and her pulse was decidedly stronger. It was a terrible trial to me to see that lovely girl lying there, and to feel that, so far, I had been powerless to help her. I thought that, perhaps, if she talked of her recent adventure it would prevent her brooding over it. So, after sympathising with her in a general way, I asked what the tramp had said to terrify her so much. She shook her head feebly.
"I could not make out what he was saying."
I glanced upwards, and caught a look of horror on her mother's face.
"Oh, indeed," I said; "it was just his sudden appearance which frightened you so much?"
"Yes," she answered, wearily. "Oh, I wish I could go to New York," she sighed.
"I have just persuaded your mother to spend a few days there."
She glanced quickly from one to the other.
"Mr. Norman? Oh, he will come, too;" but she had the grace to look apologetic.
Once outside the room, Mrs. Derwent beckoned me into her _boudoir_.
"Well, Doctor Fortescue," she exclaimed, "what do you think of that? May turns on a harmless beggar, who has done nothing to annoy her, and beats him! She is not at all ashamed of her behaviour, either."
"I confess, Mrs. Derwent, I am surprised."
"Oh, she must be crazy," wailed the poor lady.
"No, madam--simply hysterical--I am sure of it. Still, this makes me more than ever wishful to have another opinion about her case."
Before we parted, it had been decided that the choice of suitable rooms should be left to me.
Back again in New York, I went immediately in search of them. I was so difficult to satisfy that it was some time before I selected a suite overlooking the Park, which seemed to me to answer all demands.
May and her mother were not expected till the following afternoon, so I tried to kill the intervening time by making the place look homelike, and I succeeded, I think. Masses of flowers and palms filled every nook, and the newest magazines and books lay on the tables.