Long before the physician had concluded his somewhat involved sentences, Catherine, kneeling beside the Bath chair, was treating its occupant to a display of affection which suggested perfect indifference to the presence of anybody else. After a certain period she dissolved into words, uttered in a voice which was more than tremulous.
“Hugh! my darling! did you want them to bring you here?”
The gentleman’s voice as he replied was not so affectionate as querulous he, possibly, was more conscious than the lady of the presence of strangers. Men, as a rule, do not care to be kissed and hugged in public, even by the dearest woman in the world.
“Of course I wanted them to bring me here. Do you suppose they would have brought me if I hadn’t? Catherine, don’t be silly! When Mr. Stewart told me
