CHAPTER XXIII.
"I HAVE COME TO STAY."
"The dear Lord's best interpreters Are humble human souls; The gospel of a life Is more than books or scrolls."--_Whittier_.
"Deb, I have come to stay," were Olivia's first words, as the woman mether on the top of the stairs; but Deborah's only answer was to lift herhands in dumb protest and lead the way into the kitchen.
Deb's strong, hard-featured face was haggard and drawn with fatigue andanxiety, and she looked more gaunt and angular than ever: her reddened,swollen eyelids told their own tale.
"I am come to stay," repeated Olivia, firmly; but Deborah only shruggedher shoulders and walked over to the fireplace.
"You won't need to stay long, Miss Olive," she said, in a chokedvoice--at moments of excitement it was still "Miss Olive" withDeb--"she is failing fast, dear soul; the fever's gone and left her asweak as a new-born babe. I always said my mistress was only fit to beamong the angels!" and Deb gave an expressive sniff as she filled herkettle. Olivia felt a dull pain at her heart at this speech, but shewould not let herself give way. Deborah, as she knew, always took agloomy view of her mistress's illnesses.
"Dr. Randolph is coming again to-night," she observed; "my husband toldme so;" but Olivia's hand shook as she took off her hat and jacket.
"Yes, Miss Olive, the doctor is coming again, and that speaks foritself, to my mind. I knew what it was four days ago, for she wastaken ill the very night after you drove round to see her, but I darenot let you know. 'We won't tell Mrs. Luttrell, or she will beanxious, and will insist on coming to nurse me. Promise me that youwill not send to Galvaston Terrace, Deb;' and what was a poor servantto do? I suppose if Dr. Luttrell has sent you you will have to stop,but I won't give up nursing my mistress even to you, Miss Olive," andDeb sniffed defiantly. "There, you may go in while I warm her milk,but she will not take any notice of you. She is too weak to speak."
The folding-doors were open, and the little sitting-room, with itscheery fire, had a cosy aspect, the sick-room was dimly lighted. AsOlivia bent over the invalid her heart contracted with anguish. Couldonly four days have wrought such deadly havoc?
Aunt Madge's face looked pinched and sunken, and so changed that Oliviacould hardly recognise it, but, as she hung over her in speechlessgrief, the heavy eyelids unclosed, and something like a smile passedover the features. "My little Livy" was all she whispered, but it wasthe old caressing tone.
When Dr. Randolph paid his last visit Olivia begged him to use hisinfluence with Deborah. "She has been up three nights and is utterlyworn out," she went on. "I want her to let me watch while she has agood sleep on that couch. I would promise to wake her if I saw theleast change. Indeed, I know something of nursing, Dr. Randolph. Iwas with my dear mother when she died, and I will carry out all yourinstructions."
"Well, you heard what I said to Mrs. Higgins," returned Dr. Randolph,"that everything depends on frequent nourishment. The fever is down,but there is a state of collapse that makes me uneasy. Mrs. Broderickhas a good constitution or she would not have got through her lastillness, so I still hope we may pull her through;" but Dr. Randolph'svoice was not sanguine as he said this. "Now I will go and have a talkwith Mrs. Higgins. I shall tell her that unless she does as she istold to-night I shall bring round a nurse with me to-morrow. I thinkthat will fetch her," and Dr. Randolph was right. Possibly Deb feltherself on the verge of breaking down, for she consented at last to liedown on her mistress's couch for an hour or two, but it was midnightbefore Olivia found herself in sole charge.
There was very little to be done except to give medicine andnourishment at stated intervals and to make up the two fires asnoiselessly as possible, but Olivia felt her responsibilities tooacutely to be overcome by drowsiness, though Deborah lay hour afterhour in the heavy sleep of utter exhaustion.
Olivia's thoughts went back to her childhood as she sat there. Ahundred instances of Aunt Madge's affection and devotion recurred toher. She remembered how the sprightly young aunt used to run up to thenursery with some new toy or gaily-dressed doll that she had purchasedout of her scanty savings, for Aunt Madge had been a daily governess,too. She could recall the Sunday afternoons when she sat in her lapand the beautiful voice sang to her or told her stories,--Joseph andhis brethren and Daniel in the lions' den,--or on other days dear oldfairy stories such as children love. She had been her bridesmaid, too,and had grown very fond of the honest, sturdy Scotchman whom his wifeso tenderly idealised.
"Uncle Fergus was a good, kind man," she thought, "but he was not allthat Aunt Madge imagined him. Most people would not have called himinteresting, but he was devoted to her. What a bright creature she wasuntil little Malcolm died. That was the first of her troubles. What ahappy home theirs had been, but it was Aunt Madge who had been theheart of the house, who had organised and planned. Uncle Fergus hadnever originated anything.
"And she loved him as dearly as I love Marcus," she went on. "And yetwhen she lost him there was not a murmuring word.
"'I thought it was too good to last,' she once said to me, 'but mywidow's cruse will never be empty. I have the sweetest memories, andby-and-by I shall have my treasures again. Do you know I often pray,Livy, that I may not long so much to die? God's will, not mine, evenin this.'
"Oh, Aunt Madge, dear Aunt Madge, I cannot spare you yet," murmuredOlivia more than once that night, for it is hard for human affection torid itself of selfishness.
When Olivia brought Deb a cup of tea at seven o'clock, the goodcreature seemed quite shocked. "To think I have slept all thesehours," she said, in a dazed voice.
"Miss Olive, why did you not wake me long ago? You are fit to drop,and what will Dr. Luttrell say?" but Olivia shook her head with a faintsmile.
"I will lie down now and get a nap. Deb, I am sure she is no worse;she has taken all Dr. Randolph ordered, and though she has not spoken,she seemed to me a shade less exhausted;" but, though Deb would notendorse this, Olivia felt certain that she was right.
She was sitting at her late breakfast, when Marcus called to see howthey had spent the night. And her account evidently relieved him. Hewaited to hear Dr. Randolph's opinion. Olivia came back to him as soonas possible.
"Oh, Marcus," she said, the tears rushing to her eyes, "Dr. Randolphsays that the exhaustion is not quite so great, and he owned franklythat he was afraid last night how he should find her this morning. Weare to go on just the same. Everything depends on frequentnourishment; he thinks the heart is a little stronger, but she must notbe moved at all. 'We must see what nature and rest will do,' he saidto me; 'do not relax your efforts, we are not out of the woods yet.'He is coming again about four."
"Yes, I should not be surprised if she weathered it after all,"returned Marcus; "she must have a tough constitution to have gonethrough all she has. Yesterday I certainly felt anxious, and so didRandolph. We both feared sudden collapse. I worried myself for a longtime because I had not offered to sit up with you, Livy, but I havebeen up two nights already this week, and one has one's work to do;"but Olivia looked quite shocked at this.
"My dear boy, how could you think of such a thing? It would have mademe more miserable than I was already; besides, there would have been noroom for you, this is such a tiny place. Oh, how I wish Aunt Madgecould move into better lodgings; her bedroom is far too small, and thatwardrobe quite fills it up. By-the-bye, Marcus, I wish you would tellme what I had better do. May I come home for an hour or two and seebaby?"
"I don't know that there would be any risk," he replied, slowly; "youcannot give influenza unless you have it yourself; but, all the same, Iwould keep away from Dot. She is perfectly well, and sat up in herhigh-chair pouring out imaginary tea in her wooden set while I had mybreakfast, and Martha begged me to tell you 'that the butcher hadcalled, and she had ordered a steak for master, and would make arice-pudding for Miss Baby.'"
"Very well, then, I will stay; but, Marcus, I shall see you again thisevening, shal
l I not?" and Marcus returned in an emphatic voice that hecertainly intended to keep an eye on her.
"I won't have you getting into mischief and knocking yourself up," heremarked, severely. "So be a wise woman, or you will have to reckonwith me!"
There was plenty to do that morning, putting things tidy in thesick-room and straightening the sitting-room. In the course of the daysome choice flowers came from Galvaston House with Mr. Gaythorne'scompliments, and at tea-time Marcus dropped in unexpectedly, and theyhad a cosy half-hour together in Deb's spotless little kitchen; to hersurprise he told Olivia that Dot was at Galvaston House.
"Mrs. Crampton begged to have her, and Mr. Gaythorne thought it wouldbe a good plan, so she fetched her this afternoon. I hope I have doneright, Livy;" and Marcus spoke in an apologetic tone, as though he feltthat he had trenched on the mother's prerogative; "but, you see, I amso much out, and Martha is so busy, that I thought that we should bothbe less anxious to know that Mrs. Crampton was looking after her," andOlivia agreed to this.
Olivia had already arranged to take the earlier part of the night inthe sick-room, and when Dr. Randolph had paid his evening visit, Debtook possession of the couch again. Olivia had promised faithfully towake her at three o'clock.
A long afternoon nap had refreshed Olivia, and a few hopeful words fromthe doctor had cheered her immensely. A little after midnight she wassitting down by the bedside with some knitting to keep her awake, whena movement from the bed made her look up. Aunt Madge's eyes were fixedon her; there was a strange solemnity and deep sadness in theirexpression, and as Olivia rose hastily and bent over her with a tenderinquiry, the feeble voice whispered:
"Don't fret any more, Livy, the Master does not need me yet--not yet,"and then scarcely audibly, "I shall not die, but live and declare theworks of the Lord," and then it seemed to Olivia that the weary eyelidsclosed in sleep again.
When her turn for rest came, Olivia felt almost too agitated to sleep;the sad yearning in the sunken eyes haunted her; too well she knew thatthe fresh gift of life would only be an additional cross laid on theweary shoulders. What was life to Aunt Madge now but suffering anddeprivation, a daily stumbling among shadows, as she had once called it.
There was no reserve and hesitation in Dr. Randolph's manner when hecame out of the sick-room the next day.
"She has turned the corner now, but it was a narrow squeak," he said,rubbing his hands. "Now, all we have to do is to build up herstrength. Your aunt is a wonderful woman, Mrs. Luttrell. I should notwonder if she is good for twenty years yet, but we must be carefulstill. I suppose you will be here for another day or two? Oh, that'sall right," as Olivia gave a decided assent to this. "It would be apity to knock Mrs. Higgins up. There are not many women like her; sheis simply invaluable."
As the days went on the tension of anxiety was visibly relaxed. Theinvalid's progress was slow but sure. In another day or two Olivia wasable to go home for an hour or two to have dinner with Marcus and giveMartha directions; but while the night-work continued it was impossiblefor her to leave. And it was arranged that Dot was to remain atGalvaston House for the present.
Greta had written to beg for an extension of her visit. "She is such adarling, and I shall be so delighted to have her," she wrote. "Shewill not be at all in the way," and indeed Dot ruled royally over thehousehold.
She and Mr. Gaythorne became great friends. "Great dada," as shecalled him, took a good deal of notice of the pretty, golden-hairedchild who played at his feet for hours, and Eros was devoted to her.
Alwyn's first work when he returned was to paint a large picture of Dotin her cream-coloured smock, hanging a withered garland round the neckof the blind hound.
"Friends" he called it.
Olivia was able to spend an hour or two at Galvaston House the dayafter the young couple returned.
She found them in the studio with Dot and Eros. Alwyn was looking welland handsome, and Greta's sweet face wore an expression of gentlecontent. She carried Olivia off at once to the morning-room to have achat, as she said, looking archly at her husband. And though Alwynprofessed to grumble at the desertion, he was too busy stretching hiscanvas for the new picture to resent it.
"Let me know when tea is ready," he called after them, and then theyheard him whistling in his usual light-hearted fashion.
"I need not ask you if you are happy, Greta," were Olivia's firstwords, and then a charming blush crossed the young bride's face.
"No, indeed! Oh, Olive, he is so good to me; if you only knew how hestudies all my wishes. It was like a dream yesterday coming to thisbeautiful home. And then Mr. Gaythorne's delight at getting his sonback. Oh, it was so touching to see them together. Alwyn wants me tocall him 'Father,'" she continued, shyly. "He says it will please himso, so I must try to do it. You know I always called my own fatherdad. Now tell me about dear Mrs. Broderick. Poor Olive, what a timeyou have had; and you are looking so pale and tired." And then Olivepoured out her anxieties and past troubles into Greta's sympathisingears.
"She is very weak still," she finished. "Dr. Randolph thinks it willbe some time before she will be able to leave her bed. I have foundsuch a nice woman who will come in and help Deb, for of course I cannotleave Marcus any longer. I am to go home the day after to-morrow. Debwill sleep on the couch in the sitting-room. She will have to givenourishment every two hours, but Deb manages to sleep with one eyeopen, as I tell her. I am to go for a couple of hours every afternoon,that will allow her to have a little rest. Marcus thinks this willwork excellently. Oh, how glad I shall be to be at home again and lookafter him!"
"You want looking after yourself, dear," returned Greta,affectionately. And then Alwyn came into the room with Dot on hisshoulder, but she clamoured to go to her mammy.
"How do you think Mrs. Alwyn Gaythorne looks?" asked Alwyn,mischievously. "She does me credit, does she not? By-the-bye, Greta,do you think father will like us to have coffee with him in the librarythis afternoon?"
"I told Phoebe that we would have it up here; shall I go and ask him,Alwyn?"
"Do, love; the attention will please him, and I am sure Mrs. Luttrellwill not mind." Then as Greta left the room, he turned to Olivia andsaid in a tone of deep feeling,--
"She looks well and happy, don't you think so? Oh, Mrs. Luttrell,every day I feel more what a treasure I have. She is an embodiedsunbeam. I never knew anyone so gentle and yet so bright. How myfather will love her when he knows her better." And then, as hiswife's step sounded in the corridor, he sprang from his seat to openthe door.
CHAPTER XXIV.
"NOT YET."
"But here I bring within my trembling hand, This will of mine, a thing that seemeth small, And Thou alone, O Lord, can understand, How when I yield Thee this, I yield mine all."--_Anon_.
It was some time before Aunt Madge could be lifted on to the couch inthe sitting-room, and even then Deb declared that she was not theweight of a child of eight or nine.
"There is nothing of her, Miss Olive," she grumbled. "She is worn tosuch a shadow. Tire my arms, indeed--I could lift a heavier weightthan that," and Deb gave one of her ominous sniffs, and went off to herkitchen to shed a few tears in private.
All those weeks Olivia had been unremitting in her attentions, and allother visits were interdicted; but the friends at Galvaston Houseshowed their sympathy in every possible way. Mr. Gaythorne sent choiceold wine and game, and Greta and Alwyn kept the invalid supplied withfruit and flowers. Mrs. Crampton made jellies and soups, the littlelarder at Mayfield Villas was filled to overflowing. Mrs. Brodericktook it all gratefully, and gave her nurses no trouble. "I am underorders," she would say, with a pitiful attempt at her old drollery; butonly Olivia, who loved and understood her, ever guessed at the sadnessof those days of convalescence.
One evening, as they were together in the twilight, Olivia ventured tohint at this depression; she was waiting for Marcus to come and fetchher, for they were to dine at Galvaston House.
"It is because I am a coward," she returned, with a spirit of her oldenergy. "Ah, Livy, I am ashamed to tell you what a coward I have been;but I simply felt as though I could not face it. Let me explainmyself; I feel strong enough to talk, and it may do me good. Dearchild, dearest Livy," stroking her hand, "you have been such a comfortto me! Do you remember that night when I told you I was not going todie? Well, I had had a wonderful dream, a vision rather, for I shallalways think it one. I thought that I was wandering in some strangeplace, some vast emptiness where there was nothing human but myself,and that I came suddenly to a wide arched portal that seemed to reachto the stars, and I said to myself, 'this is the Gate of Paradise.' AsI stood on the threshold I could see a green space like a valley bathedin sunlight, and I even noticed the white starry flowers growingeverywhere, and then I saw my dear Fergus, looking just as he did inlife, only somehow with a grander and more peaceful look on his dearface, and he was leading our little Malcolm by the hand. I thought Ikissed them both, and clung to them in a perfect ecstasy of joy, butFergus looked at me in such a tender solemn way. 'Not yet, Madge,' hesaid, 'your work is not quite done yet; the Master has sent me to tellyou so; be patient, true heart. When the time comes, Malcolm and Iwill be here.' And then I felt myself falling, and when I opened myeyes I saw you sitting there by the bedside."
"What a sweet dream, dearest!"
"Yes, I am beginning to feel the comfort of it now; but that night Ifelt as though my heart were broken to be so near and then to have togo back; but, Livy, I am trying to say it--'Thy will, not mine, bedone.' God's will--not ours; surely our Father knows what is best forHis poor child."
"And you are not unhappy?"
"Only a little sad and tired, but that will pass, it is passing now,"and the old lovely smile came to her lips. "Don't you recollect whatKeble says,--
"''Tis sweet as year by year we lose Friends out of sight, in faith to muse How grows in Paradise our store.'
"What are a few more years of loneliness when Fergus and I haveeternity to spend together. There, I hear Marcus's knock; he willscold me for making you look sad."
But Aunt Madge was wrong, for once in his life Marcus was toopreoccupied to notice the signs of agitation on his wife's face.
"What do you think, dear people," he said, brightly, when he hadgreeted the invalid. "Dr. Bevan and I have settled matters; he willhave the deed of partnership drawn up at once. Nothing can be faireror more liberal than his terms. I told him I had only half-a-dozenpaying patients at present, but he said that I should soon have more.We have turned the corner, Livy, and my wife shall walk in silk attireyet," and Marcus flung back his head with a gesture of pride andimportance.
"My dear laddie, I congratulate you with all my heart," returned AuntMadge, affectionately, as she grasped his hands. "Livy looks quitedazed, and no wonder," and then a warm flush came to Olivia's cheek.
"Dear Marcus, I am so glad, so thankful," she whispered.
"Yes, but it will be uphill work at first," he returned, "and I shallhave plenty to do. Bevan is not the man he was, Randolph does not seemsatisfied about him; but he will pick up when the warm weather comes.Oh, by-the-bye, Livy, I have not told you half yet. Bevan insists onour moving at once; he wants me to take a good house, either inBrunswick Place or Montague Square, or one of those roads leading outof it; it is well that we have that nest egg, the five hundred poundsuntouched, it will pay for the necessary furniture, and the firstyear's rent will be assured."
"Yes, indeed," returned Olivia, in a low voice; she was awed andoverwhelmed by this unexpected good fortune; but Marcus would not allowany more talking; his professional eyes had already noted the signs ofweariness and exhaustion in the invalid.
"We must go now," he said, abruptly. "We will talk over detailsanother time; it is no use giving Aunt Madge a bad night," and thenOlivia rose reluctantly and put on her wraps.
"I shall come to-morrow afternoon and tell you everything," she said,and Mrs. Broderick nodded and smiled.
But as they slipped out into the wintry darkness and Olivia took herhusband's arm, she said, with a little laugh,--
"I am so glad I have put on my wedding-dress to-night. I ought to besmart for such an occasion. This is our first dinner-party since wehave been married."
"Then it won't be our last," returned Marcus, in a tone of conviction."I wonder, Livy, whether we shall ever regret those cosy evenings inthe dear little room at No. 1, Galvaston Terrace," but Olivia onlysighed happily. She was too good a wife to regret anything that led toher husband's advancement. Very likely her cares and responsibilitieswould be doubled. She would have less of Marcus's society, and theworld would have claims upon them. The long three years' honeymoon wasover, but, thank God, something else was over too,--the dread ofapproaching poverty, the sadness of unproductive labour, of work doneonly for love's sake and without grudging.
The following afternoon Mrs. Broderick lay tranquilly in the pleasantfire-lit twilight, awaiting Olivia's promised visit.
A pine log was spluttering and diffusing tiny coloured sparks. Zoe laycurled up in a silken ball on the black bearskin rug, and Olivia'sfavourite low chair had been wheeled to the foot of the couch, thetea-things were on the table, and the brass trivet on the fender wassuggestive of hot buttered scones.
"Oh, Aunt Madge, how cosy you look," were Olivia's first words. "May Itake off my hat and jacket? I am going to stay a long time, and Marcushopes to come round presently."
"Then we will wait tea for him," returned Aunt Madge, with somethinglike her old briskness.
"Will you tell Deb not to bring in the kettle and scones until we ring?Come, this is like old times. It is months since Marcus had tea withme. Now draw up your chair, Livy, and begin your story, for you arejust bursting with news," and, though Olivia laughed at this, she didnot deny it.
"We had such a lovely time last night," she began. "Greta looked sopretty in her black evening dress at the top of the table. She worethe pearl necklace and Olive's diamond cross. She has such a beautifulwhite throat the pearls hardly showed against it Mr. Gaythorne came into dinner and sat beside her, but he was very tired and left usdirectly after, and we all went up to Greta's morning-room and satround the fire talking, just we four. It was so nice and cosy."
"I suppose Mr. Gaythorne was told the grand news?"
"Oh dear, yes. He and Alwyn were so keen about it. They drank thehealth of Dr. Bevan's new partner. Mr. Gaythorne proposed the toasthimself. Just as we left the dining-room I noticed that Greta detainedAlwyn, and they did not follow upstairs for quite a quarter of an hour,but of course Marcus and I took no notice. They both looked a littlebit excited when they came in. Greta gave my arm a funny littlesqueeze, and Alwyn cleared his throat and looked at Marcus, and thensaid in such a serious voice that he had an important proposal to maketo us. It was Greta's idea, but he heartily approved of it. The houseat Brunswick Place was waiting for a tenant. Why should not Marcustake it? It was to be let furnished. They had decided on thatalready, so there would be no delay or fuss necessary. 'You might goin next week,' he finished. 'The rooms only need airing and warming.'"
"My dear Livy, what a splendid idea. Three cheers for Greta, I say."
"Yes, it was all Greta's thought; but oh, Aunt Madge, what a talk wehad. First, the terms that Alwyn proposed were so absurdly low thatMarcus got quite red and said in almost an annoyed tone--you know howproud he is--that he must decline living at other people's expense. Hewould pay a fair rent for the house or he would not have it at all.And then Alwyn patted him on the back and told him to keep calm, for noone wanted to insult him, and then they went on wrangling like twoschoolboys. Marcus called Alwyn a stuck-up millionaire, and Alwynretorted by telling him that he was as proud as a Highlander, and thenGreta and I called them to order, but we were laughing so that we couldhardly speak
."
"How I should have loved to hear them. Marcus is so delicious when hegets on his high horse."
"Well, it was arranged at last to everybody's satisfaction, thoughAlwyn went on grumbling for a long time, and we are to move in nextmonth. Marcus is to pay the full rent, and there is to be a fixed sumpaid quarterly for the furniture, and at the end of two years it willbe ours. They both thought this the best plan. You see, expenses willbe heavy the first year, and we must not look for great profits. Butthere is every reasonable hope, as Marcus says, if he keeps his health,that in a year or two he may have a good practice. There is room foranother doctor; even Dr. Randolph says so."
"Well, Livy dear, I can only congratulate you."
"Yes, indeed; Greta and I have been in Brunswick Place all the morningplanning things. Oh, Aunt Madge, it is such a lovely house. Thedining-room and drawing-room are such handsome rooms, and there is sucha study for Marcus. It is too large for us, of course." And thenOlivia stopped and her eyes grew very wistful.
"Aunt Madge, dear Aunt Madge, we want you and Deb to go with us. Ihave set my heart on it, darling, and Marcus wants it too. Don't getpale over it," as Mrs. Broderick gave a little gasp. "Listen to me amoment," and Olivia knelt by the couch and put her arms round her.
"There is Greta's morning-room on the first floor, it is such a large,cheerful room, with a bay-window overlooking the nice, old-fashionedgarden, where you could lie and look out on the trees and flowers; hereyou see nothing but the four walls. Greta's bedroom is next to it; youwould have that, too; it is a pleasant front room, very large and airy,and so nicely furnished, and my room would be just opposite. Deb couldhave the room just at the top of a short flight of stairs; it looks onthe garden, too, and she could sit there and do her sewing. There arethree or four other rooms besides attics, but they have not been used,so you can judge what a good house it is. Aunt Madge, do say you willcome. It will make us so happy to know you are safe under our roof.Think what it would be to me to have you at hand in all my littledifficulties. And you shall not be troubled; you shall live your oldlife, and Deb will have nothing to do but take care of you." But AuntMadge made no answer, only a curiously sweet smite played round herlips.
"I should be no expense to you," she observed presently, in areflective tone. "I might even be able to help a little. By-the-bye,Livy, how many servants do you propose to keep in this palatialmansion?"
"I am afraid we can only afford two good ones at present. That is mydifficulty, Aunt Madge. What am I to do with Martha? She is certainlynot eligible for a house-parlourmaid."
"Keep her as Dot's nurse, and I will pay her wages. Yes, I mean it,Livy. In a year or two with careful training that girl will be worthher weight in gold. She will be a second Deb to you in time. Oh, thatis Marcus, and we have not finished."
"Well, are you coming to us, Aunt Madge?" were Marcus's first words ashe entered the room. There was unmistakable eagerness in his tone."If you do not want Livy to cry out her eyes with disappointment, andif I am to have a peaceful moment for the next six months, I entreatyou to consent."
"Am I likely to refuse, Marcus?" But Aunt Madge's voice was not soclear as usual. "Don't you think that I shall love to have you andLivy caring for me? so it is 'yes,' and God bless you both." And aslow tear rolled down Aunt Madge's pale face.
Marcus and Olivia never repented that step. As the years went on andother children's voices were heard in the house at Brunswick Place,when three sturdy, boys climbed up on Dr. Luttrell's knees, and twosmall, brown-eyed girls toddled after mother, Aunt Madge's room was theheart and nucleus of the busy household.
There would come Marcus for a greeting word and a jest before he setoff on his day's round, and there Olivia would betake herself for arest and a chat. When her household tasks had been despatched, sheseldom found Aunt Madge alone; Nigel or Hugh would have brought hertheir kites to mend, or to beg that Deb would make them new sails fortheir boat, and, of course, where Nigel went, fat, sturdy Ronaldfollowed.
Or the twins would be playing with their Japanese babies on the carpet,or rolling over each other and Zoe (not the same Zoe, alas!) likekittens. But the most frequent visitor was Dot, dimpled and winsome asever.
Olivia had verified Aunt Madge's words. She had grown a little stouterand more matronly, and had become a fine-looking woman, but the eyeswere as frank and kindly as ever, and one only needed to look at her tofind out that she was thoroughly in harmony with her environment.
And Madge Broderick was happy, although the years of her widowhood andbanishment stretched out indefinitely.
"You will make an old woman yet," Dr. Randolph often told her, but shehad ceased to wince when he said it as though a cold hand had struckher.
And year by year a deep peacefulness steals over the dear face, and thering of cheerfulness in the full, mellow voice grows stronger. "I havetwo lovely homes, Livy," she would say. "One here with you and Marcusand the darling children, and one in the 'many mansions,' where Fergusand baby boy wait for me." And as she said this a radiant smile wouldlight her features like sunshine.
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