Latterly the doctor had taken to driving in his buggy, and when Maddy
was strong enough he took her with him one day, himself adjusting the
shawl which grandma wrapped around her, and pulling a little farther
on the white sunbonnet which shaded the sweet, pale face, where the
roses were just beginning to bloom again. The doctor was very happy
that morning, and so, too, was Maddy, talking to him upon the theme of
which she never tired, Guy Remington, Jessie and Aikenside. Was it as
beautiful a place as she had heard it was, and didn't he think it
would be delightful to live there?
"I suppose Mr. Guy will be bringing a wife there some day when he
finds one," and leaning back in the buggy Maddy heaved a little sigh,
not at thoughts of Guy Remington's wife, but because she began to feel
tired, and thus gave vent to her weariness.
The doctor, however, did not so construe it. He heard the sigh, and
for the first time when listening to her as she talked of Guy, a keen
throb of pain shot through his heart, a something as near akin to
jealousy as it was possible for him then to feel. But all unused as he
was to the workings of love he did not at that moment dream of such an
emotion in connection with Madeline Clyde. He only knew that something
affected him unpleasantly, prompting him, for some reason, to tell
Maddy Clyde about Lucy Atherstone, who, in all probability, would one
day come to Aikenside as its mistress.
"Yes, Guy will undoubtedly marry," he began, just as over the top of
the easy hill they were ascending horses' heads were visible, and the
Aikenside carriage appeared in view. "There he is now," he exclaimed,
adding quickly: "No, I am mistaken, there's only a lady inside. It
must be Agnes."
It was Agnes driving out alone, for the sole purpose of passing a
place which had a singular attraction for her, the old, red cottage in
Honedale. She recognized the doctor, and guessed whom he had with him,
Putting up her glass, for which she had no more need than Jessie, she
scrutinized the little figure bundled up in shawls, while she smiled
her sweetest smile upon the doctor, showing to good advantage her
white teeth, and shaking back her wealth of curls with the air and
manner of a young coquettish girl.
"Oh, what a handsome lady! Who is she?" Maddy asked, turning to look
after the carriage now swiftly descending the hill.