After days of anxiety the fever reached its height, and there was not a
more anxious heart in the house that day than Dexie's own.
As she went about her daily household duties, she mentally pictured to
herself what might happen in case of the worst. Would she be blamed for his
death? and what would become of all Hugh's money?
She speculated as to how he had willed it, and wondered what were the
contents of the letter Hugh had written to her father before that
afternoon's sail. She hoped she would not be summoned again to the
sick-room. But she was not to have that wish, for late in the evening Lancy
came in to bring her over at once.
"The doctor says the next hour will decide whether he lives or not, and he
wants you to be near in case you are needed in a hurry."
Towards midnight Hugh opened his eyes and recognized Mrs. Gurney, who was
bending over him; and as he turned his face and saw the doctor also, he
said, in a faint voice:
"What is the matter? Why am I here?"
"You have been sick, Hugh," said Mrs. Gurney, taking his hand; "do not
talk."
"But I thought--I thought--I was in a boat," he said, faintly, and a
puzzled look came over his face.
Pages:
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410