It was a fortnight before the sufferer was about again, and during that
period Gertrude had begun to look more hopefully upon her future, for,
though peevish and fretful to a degree, Mr George Harrington, so Mrs
Hampton said, showed the better side of his character.
Saul came twice a week to see the invalid, and at the end of the
fortnight was down at The Mynns and out in the garden with him.
"If that confounded, meddling old doctor had left me alone, Saul, old
fellow, I should have been all right after a good sleep."
"Doubtful," said Saul, smiling.
"Well, nearly all right. I suppose I had been having a little too
much."
"Little! I should have been sorry to have taken half."
"Ah, well, never mind that. I'm all right again now, only I feel as if
I should like to prosecute that chemist for his blunder."
"He deserves it," said Saul; "but you couldn't do anything. It was an
accident, that's all."
"But, confound the man! he swears, so Lawrence says, that he made the
prescription up quite correctly."
"Perhaps your system will not bear the particular drug he prescribed."
"My system won't bear molten lead poured into it," said the young man
tartly. "Hang it! I felt as if I was being burned up."
"You recollect the sensations, then?"
"Recollect! Why, it sobered me in an instant, and I felt all the time
as if the end had come."
"But it had not, my dear old fellow," cried Saul enthusiastically. "And
as soon as the doctor gives you leave, we'll have a snug, quiet little
dinner together somewhere, and forget all the past."
"No," said the other quietly, "I must settle down now, and drop all this
fast life. I've got to mend and marry little Gertrude."
Saul's countenance changed.
"Hallo! what's the matter? You haven't taken a dose of the doctor's
medicine, have you?"
"I? No; absurd!"
"Why, you look as white as chalk."
"Reflection of your sickly face, I suppose," said Saul, with a forced
laugh, "or else I turned pale at the idea of your marrying."
"Why?"
"Such a loss to bachelors' society."
"Don't be alarmed; I may break out again now and then; but if I do,
don't let old Lawrence touch me."
"No; that was unfortunate. But look here, George, have you thought any
more about that investment?"
"No, how could I--upset like this? Here, I'm faint. Ring that bell."
Saul touched the hand-bell, and Mrs Denton came hurrying down.
"Here, old girl, bring some whiskey-and-soda."
Mrs Denton lifted the corner of her apron, and began to pleat it.
"I beg your pardon, sir; the doctor said--"
"Hang the doctor! He didn't say my friends were to choke with thirst.
Bring the brandy, and be quick. Strange thing one can't do what one
likes in one's own place. What were you saying, Saul?"
"About that investment."
"What do I want with investments?" said the convalescent shortly. "I've
plenty of money."
"I should have thought you were the very man who did want investments,
only getting three per cent, for your money."
"Think about yourself," was the gruff rejoinder.
"Well, I was not thinking about myself over that, or I should have asked
you to lend me the coin."
"No, I say, don't," cried the other, laughing. "We are such good
friends, Saul, and I should offend you if you did ask."
"Don't be alarmed. I've enough for my wants," said Saul gruffly.
"Glad to hear it. Then on a little more generous over paying your share
when we are out."
Saul winced.
"Turn for turn, you know."
"If I'm so mean you shouldn't go out with me; and next time I suggest an
investment to you, tell me of it."
"There, don't cut up rough, man. That's right, old girl; put it down
here."
"Please don't let master drink, Mr Saul, sir," whispered the old
housekeeper.
Saul gave her a meaning nod and look, and the old lady went back to the
house satisfied, while Saul drew his chair from the shadow of the great
lilac to get nearer the table.
"I suppose I may," he said.
"May! Of course; open a bottle for me, too, and don't be stingy with
the whiskey."
"But are you sure that it will not hurt you?"
"Hurt! No; it does me good."
He lay back watching Saul, who poured out a very liberal quantity of
whiskey into a tall glass.
"That enough?" he said.
"Well, no--little drop more."
Saul tilted a half wine-glass more into the tumbler before proceeding to
open a bottle of soda-water, and pretending to be too intent to note
that the convalescent took a goodly sip of the raw spirit in the glass.
"There," said Saul, as the cork he set free flew out with a loud and he
trickled the effervescent water into the tumbler, "that ought to do you
good, old fellow."
"It will," said his companion, taking a deep draught with the more
enjoyment because it was forbidden.
"And if you like to alter your mind, and invest that money--two
thousand--I'll still see that you have the chance, in spite of your
sneers."
"Ah, just you be bad as I have been, Saul, my lad, and perhaps you'll be
snaggy and sneery. By George! that seems to send life through your
veins. What did you say the company was?"
"Company be hanged! Am I the sort of fellow to persuade a man to invest
in some visionary company with dividends _in futuro_? Solid mercantile
affair, as you can find out for yourself in the city."
"Ah, well, we'll see about it. Pass that decanter."
Saul pushed the little cut-glass vessel across the table, and the
convalescent was in the act of taking it, when a hand was laid upon his
and held it fast.