Gratia's Trials — page 213: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

204 GRATIA’'S TRIALS. pathetic interest, and turned her eye-glasses thoughtfully round and round in her hand, as she meditated upon it. ‘Tt is very unfortunate,” said she, at last, ‘‘but our nurses are all at work in different places, except Sister Leonora, and she is too ill to go out. Yes, it is a great pity-—we should like to do something to oblige Dr. Hayley, who has_been very good to us in times of necessity. But you see just how it is. Stay, though,” she held up one plump, dimpled little hand as her visitant was turning despairingly away, ‘‘ there’s a young person here—she is not exactly one of the sisterhood, but is “*Oh, that would make no difference,” said Colonel Fal- coner, clutching, as it were, at the straw of hope held out to him. ‘* But,” went on Sister Agnes, mildly, ‘‘I think she would make a good nurse, and she is willing to do and dare anything in the service of her Master. I will send her at once.” ‘“‘Cannot I take her with me, madam?” Colonel Falconer ventured to suggest. ‘‘My carriage is at the door, and haste is of the most vital importance. ” 5 ‘‘IT must see and speak to her first,” Sister Agnes said. ‘“ But if you choose to wait for a few minutes —” | Hugo did wait; but it was of no avail. Sister Agnes came back presently. ‘“She will come soon,” she said. ‘‘I thought she would be glad of an opportunity to work. But she cannot accompany you,” | And so, much against his will, Colonel Falconer drove home alone.’ “You are to send the new nurse up at once, when she comes, Scipio,” he said, as he crossed the hall floor to the library. The new nurse arrived shortly afterward, closely vailed, and dressed in the simple yet not ungraceful garments of the sister- hood of St. Hildegarde. Scipio reverently marshaled her up Stairs, and went to tell his master of the new arrival. Eomichooks: co m