"What did you call the gentleman?" Miss McDonald asked, her voice
faltering and her cheek blanching a little.
"Mr. Thornton, from Cuylerville, a place far in the country," was the
girl's reply, and then, without waiting to hear more, Miss McDonald
darted away, and, going to the office, turned the leaves of the register
to the date of ten or eleven days ago, and read with a beating heart and
quick coming breath: "Guy Thornton, lady, two children, and servant. Nos. ---- and ----."
Yes, it was Guy; there could be no mistake, and in an instant her
resolution was taken. Calling to her maid, she sent for her shawl and
hat, and then bidding her follow, walked away in the moonlight. The
previous summer when at Saratoga she had received medical treatment from
Dr. Schwartz, whom she knew well and to whose office she directed her
steps. He seemed surprised to see her at that hour, but greeted her
cordially and asked when she came to town and what he could do for her.
"Tell me if this is still a safeguard," she said, baring her beautiful
white arm and showing a large round scar. "Will this insure me against
disease?"
The doctor's face flushed, and he looked uneasily at her as he took her
arm in his hand, and, examining the scar closely, said: "The points are still distinct. I should say the vaccination was
thorough."
"But another will be safer. Have you fresh vaccine?" Daisy asked; and he
replied: "Yes, some just from a young, healthy heifer. I never use the
adulterated stuff which has been humanized. How do I know what humors
may be lurking in the blood? Why, some of the fairest, sweetest babies
are full of scrofula!"
He was going on further with his discussion, when Daisy, who knew his
peculiarities, interrupted him: "Never mind the lecture now. Vaccinate me quick and let me go."
It was soon done, the doctor saying as he put away his vial: "You were safe without it, I think, and with it you may have no fears
whatever."
He looked at her curiously again as if asking what she knew or feared,
and, observing the look, Daisy said to him: "Do you attend the lady at the hotel?"
He bowed affirmatively and glanced uneasily at Sarah, who was looking on
in surprise.
"Is she very sick?" was the next inquiry.
"Yes, very sick."
"And does no one care for her but her husband?"
"No one."
"Has she suffered for care--a woman's care, I mean?"
"Well, not exactly, and yet she might be more comfortable with a woman
about her. Women are naturally better nurses than men, and Mr. Thornton
is quite worn out, but it does not make much difference now; the lady--"