"You'll have some wine too," he said, pouring it out as a matter of course. "You can drink it while you tell me what I am to do."
She took the glass with a slight inclination of her head, and explained that she wanted an old servant who had been Sissy's nurse when she was a little child. "Mrs. Latimer is very kind," she said, "but Sissy will like her own people best. And Sarah would be broken-hearted--" She paused. "Here is a list of things that I wish her to bring."
"Mrs. Latimer thought Miss Langton was not quite herself," he said inquiringly.
"Do you mean because she talked of her work? Oh, I don't think so. She answers quite sensibly--indeed, she speaks quite clearly. That was the only thing."
"Then is it down in the list, this needlework? Or where is it to be found?"
"You will bring it?" said Mrs. Middleton. "Well, perhaps--"
"True. Yes, yes, bring it." She told him where to find the little case. "The fancy may haunt her. How am I to thank you, Harry?"
"Not at all," he said. "Only let me do what I can."
It was nearly eleven before Hardwicke had accomplished his double errand and returned with Sarah. The stars were out, the ruins of the priory rose in great black masses against the sky, the farmhouse windows beneath the overhanging eaves were like bright eyes gazing out into the night. Dr. Grey had come back in the interval, and had seen his patient. There was nothing new to say, and nothing to be done, except to make the path to the grave as little painful as might be. He was taking a nap in Mr. Greenwell's arm-chair when the young man came in, but woke up clear and alert in a moment. "Ah, you have come?" he said, recognizing the old servant. "That's well: you'll save your mistress a little. Only, mind, we mustn't have any crying. If there is anything of that sort you will do more harm than good."
Sarah deigned no reply, but passed on. Mrs. Middleton came out to meet them. Sissy had not spoken. She lay with her eyes shut, and moaned now and then. "Are you going home, Harry?" said the old lady.
"Only into the village: I've got a room at the Latimer Arms. It isn't two minutes' walk from here, so I can be fetched directly if I'm wanted."
"And you will be sure to meet the train?"