"I shall get well now," she said in a half-whisper. "I shall soon"--turning to him--"be able to take another situation. Do you think Mrs. Knox will give me a recommendation?"
"Yes, that she will--when it's wanted," said he, with a queer smile.
She sat in silence again, a tinge of colour in her face, and seeing fortunes in the fire. "Oh, the relief, the relief!" she murmured, slightly lifting her hands. "To feel that I may be at peace and fear nothing! I am very thankful to you, Dr. Knox, for all things."
"Do you know what I think would do you good?" said Dr. Knox suddenly. "A drive. The day is so fine, the air so balmy: I am sure it would strengthen you. Will you go?"
"If you please, sir. I do feel stronger, since you told me this."
He went down and spoke to Miss Deveen. She heartily agreed: anything that would benefit the poor girl, she said; and the carriage was coming round to the door, for she had been thinking of going out herself. Cattledon could not oppose them, for she had stepped over to the curate's.
"Would you very much mind--would you pardon me if I asked to be allowed to accompany her alone?" said Dr. Knox, hurriedly to Miss Deveen, as Janet was coming downstairs on Lettice's arm, dressed for the drive.
Miss Deveen was taken by surprise. He spoke as though he were flurried, and she saw the red look on his face.
"I can take care of her as perhaps no one else could," he added with a smile. "And I--I want to ask her a question, Miss Deveen."
"I--think--I--understand you," she said, smiling back at him. "Well, you shall go. Miss Cattledon will talk of propriety, though, when she comes home, and be ready to snap us all up."
And Cattledon was so. When she found Janet had been let go for a slow and easy drive, with no escort but Dr. Knox inside and the fat coachman on the box, she conjectured that Miss Deveen must have taken leave of her senses. Cattledon took up her station at the window to wait for their return, firing out words of temper every other second.
The air must have done Janet good. She came in from the carriage on Dr. Knox's arm, her cheeks bright, her pretty eyes cast down, and looking quite another girl.
"Have you put your question, Dr. Knox?" asked Miss Deveen, meeting him in the hall, while Janet came on.