第107章

"But then, she will not be accustomed to my blind ways," he continued."I am afraid I shall seem so helpless and so blundering.

She has not been in Sightless Land, as you and I have been.She does not know all our plans of cords, and notches, and things.Ah, little Rosemary! Promise not to leave me to-morrow.I want Her--only God, knows how I want her; but I begin to be half afraid.It will be so wonderful, for the great essentials; but, for the little every-day happenings, which are so magnified by the darkness, oh, my kind unseen guide, how I shall need you.At first, I thought it lucky you had settled to go, just when she is coming; but now, just because she is coming, I cannot let you go.Having her will be wonderful beyond words; but it will not be the same as having you."Nurse Rosemary was receiving her reward, and she appeared to find it rather overwhelming.

As soon as she could speak, she said, gently: "Don't excite yourself over it, Mr.Dalmain.Believe me, when you have been with her for five minutes, you will find it just the same as having me.And how do you know she has not also been in Sightless Land? A nurse would do that sort of thing, because she was very keen on her profession, and on making a success of her case.The woman who loves you would do it for love of you.""It would be like her," said Garth; and leaned back, a look of deep contentment gathering on his face."Oh, Jane! Jane! She is coming!

She is coming!"

Nurse Rosemary looked at the clock.

"Yes; she is coming," she said; and though her voice was steady, her hands trembled."And, as it is our last evening together under quite the same circumstances as during all these weeks, will you agree to a plan of mine? I must go upstairs now, and do some packing, and make a few arrangements.But will you dress early? I will do the same; and if you could be down in the library by half-past six, we might have some music before dinner.""Why certainly," said Garth."It makes no difference to me at what time I dress; and I am always ready for music.But, I say: I wish you were not packing, Miss Gray.""I am not exactly packing up," replied Nurse Rosemary."I am packing things away.""It is all the same, if it means leaving.But you have promised not to go until she comes?""I will not go--until she comes."

"And you will tell her all the things she ought to know?""She shall know all I know, which could add to your comfort.""And you will not leave me, until I am really--well, getting on all right?""I will never leave you, while you need me," said Nurse Rosemary.

And again Garth detected that peculiar quality in her voice.He rose, and came towards where he heard her to be standing.

"Do you know, you are no end of a brick," he said, with emotion.

Then he held out both hands towards her."Put your hands in mine just for once, little Rosemary.I want to try to thank you."There was a moment of hesitation.Two strong capable hands--strong and capable, though, just then, they trembled--nearly went home to his; but were withdrawn just in time.Jane's hour was not yet.This was Nurse Rosemary's moment of triumph and success.It should not be taken from her.

"This evening," she said, softly, "after the music, we will--shake hands.Now be careful, sir.You are stranded.Wait.Here is the garden-cord, just to your left.Take a little air on the terrace;and sing again the lovely song I heard under my window this morning.

And now that you know what it is that is 'going to happen,' this exquisite May-Day evening will fill you with tender expectation.

Good-bye, sir--for an hour."

"What has come to little Rosemary?" mused Garth, as he felt for his cane, in its corner by the window."We could not have gone on indefinitely quite as we have been, since she came in from the post-office."

He walked on; a troubled look clouding his face: Suddenly it lifted, and he stood still, and laughed."Duffer!" he said."Oh, what a conceited duffer! She is thinking of her 'young man.' She is going to him to-morrow; and her mind is full of him; just as mime is full of Jane.Dear, good, clever, little Rosemary! I hope he is worthy of her.No; that he cannot be.I hope he knows he is NOT worthy of her.

That is more to the point.I hope he will receive her as she expects.Somehow, I hate letting her go to him.Oh, hang the fellow!--as Tommy would say."