The absence, in her letters, of any expressions of affectionate
regret was no proof that she was not thinking of my lord. So far as he
was personally concerned, the Dane's prospects of recovery would appear
to justify the action of the doctor and his accomplice. Distrusting
them both as resolutely as ever, and determined to keep Lady Harry as
long as possible at the safe distance of London, Fanny Mere, in writing
her reply, preserved a discreet silence on the subject of Mr. Oxbye's
health.
[At this point Wilkie Collins' health prevented his finishing the
novel.]
CHAPTER XLIX
THE NURSE IS SENT AWAY
"YOU have repented and changed your mind, Vimpany?" said Lord Harry.
"I repented?" the doctor repeated, with a laugh. "You think me capable
of that, do you?"
"The man is growing stronger and better every day. You are going to
make him recover, after all. I was afraid"--he corrected himself--"I
thought"--the word was the truer--"that you were going to poison him."
"You thought I was going--we were going, my lord--to commit a stupid
and a useless crime. And, with our clever nurse present, all the time
watching with the suspicions of a cat, and noting every change in the
symptoms? No--I confess his case has puzzled me because I did not
anticipate this favourable change.
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