THE FIRST SOUND SLEEP.
I sat down by the young man's bed; I talked to him in a low voice--a
great deal of nonsense, I dare say; I was not thinking how it might
sound, but was only anxious to soothe him; and while I talked I smoothed
his hair and passed my hand slowly across his forehead, after a fashion
which I had acquired in my attendance upon Mrs. Lee, during her numerous
illnesses.
I cannot pretend to account for it, but from my earliest girlhood I
always had a faculty for taking care of sick people, and of soothing
them when no other person could.
My art did not fail that time. Bosworth's voice grew lower and lower;
his hands crossed themselves upon the counterpane; his eyes closed, and
very soon his measured breathing proved that he was quietly asleep. When
I looked up, that stately old duchess of a grandmother was regarding me
with such a blessing in her eyes, that I felt the dew steal into mine;
while the younger lady, subdued out of her fidgetiness, appeared almost
tranquil, and was quite silent.
Nobody stirred or spoke. There we sat and watched the sick man as he
slept--that quiet sleep which the physician had pronounced so necessary
for him, and which his art had failed to procure. It is not often that I
feel thoroughly satisfied with Martha Hyde, but I confess that just then
I did; not that it proceeded from a sense of self-importance, or
anything of that sort, but it is seldom that a quiet person like me has
an opportunity of doing good to anybody, and when the occasion does
arrive, it is more pleasant than I can at all describe.
Bosworth must have slept nearly an hour; the instant he opened his eyes,
I saw that the fever had abated a little. He smiled faintly at his
mother and the old lady; then his glance fell upon me. Through the
feverish flush still on his face there appeared a glow of thankfulness
and pleasure, which was beautiful to behold.
"Is that you, Miss Hyde?" he asked.
"Yes," I said; "I have been sitting here for some time. You have had a
nice sleep; to-morrow you will be better."
"Thank you; I hope so."
Little Mrs. Bosworth began to flutter; but the old lady put her down
with a strong hand, and the weak female subsided into her chair, meek as
a hen-pigeon that has been unexpectedly pecked by her mate.
I saw, by the way Bosworth looked at them, that he wished to speak with
me alone; the old duchess saw it too, and said, with the decision which
was evidently habitual to her:
"My daughter, if Miss Hyde will sit with our boy a little longer, we
will go into the garden for a breath of air."
Bosworth called them to him, kissed his mother's cheek, and the
grandmother's hand, and the old lady went out in her stately way, while
the small woman followed in her wake, like a little boat tacked to a
graceful yacht.
"Miss Hyde," said the young man, the moment the door closed, "you came
alone?"
"Yes," I replied; "I hurried off without telling any one where I was
going."
"You are very kind," he repeated. "They are all well, I hope, at the
house?"
"Very well; they will be sorry to hear that you are sick."
"Miss Hyde!" he exclaimed, hurriedly,--so weak from sickness that he
forgot all the reticence and self-command which characterized him in
health,--"Miss Hyde, do you think she would come to see me?"
I knew whom he meant--there was no necessity for mentioning any name.
"Would she come, do you believe?" he asked again.
"I am certain that she would," I replied. "You are an old friend to all
of us; why should she not?"
"Yes, an old friend," he answered, sadly; "I know, I know! I won't pain
her; she shall not be troubled; promise to bring her, Miss Hyde."
"I can promise unhesitatingly," I said; "I have no doubt Mr. Lee will
bring her himself, to-morrow."
"To-morrow--oh! how much I thank you!" And he smiled like a tired child.
"Will you call my mother now?" he continued; "she will feel troubled if
she thinks I can do without her."
I went out into the hall, where the two ladies stood, and beckoned them
into the room. We all remained about the bed for a few moments, talking
cheerfully; then I bade Bosworth good-bye, answered the entreaty in his
eyes with a smile, and went down-stairs.
The grandmother followed me, and, when we reached the outer door, took
my hand between both of hers.
"You are very good!" she said. "We have long been strangers to each
other, Miss Hyde; but an old woman's blessing cannot hurt you, and I
give it to you."
I was so much affected, that it was all I could do to keep from crying
like a child; but I did not give way, and, mutually anxious to restrain
our feelings, we parted with a certain degree of haste, which an
unobservant looker-on might have construed into indifference. But I
think that grand old woman understood me, even from that short
interview, and I know that, for my part, I went forth from her presence
solemnized and calmed as one leaves a church.