"I must beg pardon for this intrusion," the Baroness said with her
sweetest smile; "but our rector urged me to come and so I felt
emboldened to carry out the wish I have long entertained to make your
acquaintance. Your wonderful music inspires all who hear you to know
you personally; the service lacked half its charm on Sunday because
you were absent. When I learnt that your absence was occasioned by
your mother's illness, I asked the rector if he thought a call from
me would be an intrusion, and he assured me to the contrary. I used
to be considered an excellent nurse; I am very strong, and full of
vitality, and if you would permit me to sit by your mother some
Sunday when you are needed at church, I should be most happy to do
so. I should like to make the acquaintance of your mother, and
compliment her on the happiness of possessing such a gifted and
dutiful daughter."
Like all who sat for any time under the spell of the second Mrs
Lawrence, Joy felt the charm of her voice, words and manner, and it
began to seem as if she had been very unreasonable in entertaining
unfounded prejudices.
That the rector had introduced her was alone proof of her worthiness;
and the gracious offer of the distinguished-looking lady to watch by
the bedside of a stranger was certainly evidence of her good heart.
The frost disappeared from her smile, and she warmed toward the
Baroness. The call lengthened into a visit, and as the Baroness
finally rose to go, Joy said: "I will take you in and introduce you to mamma now. I think it will
do her good to meet you," and the Baroness followed the graceful girl
through a narrow hall, and into a room which had evidently been
intended for a dining-room, but which, owing to its size and its
windows opening to the south, had been utilised as a sick chamber.
The invalid lay with her face turned away from the door. But by the
movement of the delicate hand on the counterpane, Joy knew that her
mother was awake.
"Mamma, I have brought a lady, a friend of Dr Stuart's, to see you,"
Joy said gently. The invalid turned her head upon the pillow, and
the Baroness looked upon the face of--Berene Dumont.
"Berene!"
"Madam!"
The two spoke simultaneously, and the invalid had started upright in
bed.
"Mamma, what is the matter? Oh, please lie down, or you will bring
on another haemorrhage," cried the startled girl; but her mother
lifted her hand.