For the last three days not a creature has
darkened the doors of this house. Could I say a word to you?"
He led Iris mysteriously into a corner of the room. "About our friend
downstairs?" he began.
"When may we hope that he will be well again, Mr. Vimpany?"
"Maybe in three weeks. In a month at most. I have nobody here but a
stupid servant girl. We ought to have a competent nurse. I can get a
thoroughly trained person from the hospital; but there's a little
difficulty. I am an outspoken man. When I am poor, I own I am poor. My
lord must be well fed; the nurse must be well fed. Would you mind
advancing a small loan, to provide beforehand for the payment of
expenses?"
Iris handed her purse to him, sick of the sight of Mr. Vimpany. "Is
that all?" she asked, making for the door.
"Much obliged. That's all."
As they approached the room on the ground floor, Iris stopped: her eyes
rested on the doctor. Even to that coarse creature, the eloquent look
spoke for her. Fanny noticed it, and suddenly turned her head aside.
Over the maid's white face there passed darkly an expression of
unutterable contempt. Her mistress's weakness had revealed
itself--weakness for one of the betrayers of women; weakness for a man!
In the meantime, Mr.
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