The nurse stood up and stared full at Tarbot. She made no reply. There was a scornful expression round her lips.
“It is best that we should talk in this strain,” said Tarbot, dropping his voice. “I repeat, the shock which caused death was the sudden appearance on the scene of Sir Richard Pelham.”
“I don’t think so; the boy was fond of his cousin.”
“He was; but love is too mighty an emotion when life ebbs so low. We should never have pulled him through. Well, nurse, it is a fine thing for Sir Richard.”
“I fail to understand you,” said the nurse. Then she added significantly, “I have done my part well?”
“You will keep your part of the bargain?”
“Then you will give a certificate of death?”
“For the sake of appearances, I should like to see the child again in the morning, but I am as sure that death has already taken place as that I am now talking to you. In the morning I can write the certificate.”
“What cause will you give for death?” asked the woman.
“I shall stay here to-night,” said Nurse Ives.
“Do so, nurse. I should wish you to stay for the next day or two, as you will probably have to look after the mother. She is certain to be terribly prostrated; I am going to her now. I sent Miss Evershed to break the news to her.”
“That is a kind girl, a fine girl,” said Nurse Ives. As she spoke she raised her eyes and fixed them on Tarbot’s face. Her glance took him by surprise. He looked away, and a dull red crept into the woman’s face. She tightened her thin lips, and there came an ominous gleam in her pale blue eyes.
“Is Sir Richard here?” she asked after a moment.
“No, he has gone. By the way, nurse, don’t throw away that last bottle of medicine.”
“You had better take it with you, Dr. Tarbot.”
“No, I will not do that. Leave it where it can be got when the moment arrives. Put it into the cupboard and lock the cupboard. Mrs. Pelham will not change the arrangement of the room for some time. I shall write a certificate of death in the morning.”
Once again Tarbot strode up to the bed and looked at the body. The child was now faintly smiling with that ineffable smile of peace which death seems always to give. Heaving a brief sigh of satisfaction, Tarbot turned on his heel and left the room.