The Argosy — page 272: what you’re looking at

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The Mystery of Allan Grale. 253 ‘He seems wonderfully better this morning,” replied Maria. ‘‘So much so that it has made me almost afraid. For—is not a sudden improvement sometimes a sign of the end ?” ‘* Sometimes, but by no means always,” answered the Doctor. “And I may tell you that this is about the time when, if a change for the better be possible, it is likely to show itself. I confess that I had little hopes of it. There have been some most unfavourable symp- toms in his case. However, we shall see. If a medical attendant’s hopes often come to nothing, so occasionally do his fears.” “Certainly,” assented Maria. “Is your brother George at home ?” “No,” she answered. ‘‘ He has been in town for three or four days now, as I think you know. I rather wonder what can be keep- ing him. He never stays so long as this. Perhaps he may be home to-night.” ‘He seems rather fond of being in town,” remarked the Doctor. “Yes ; and I cannot think why,” said Mania. ‘“ He is not happy ; I am sure of that. Oh, Dr. Palmer! if I could only know that his health is not in danger ?” ‘“‘ But, my dear young lady, you should not let that fear trouble you. I reaily do not see any cause for it. George is not very strong ; he never has been, as we all know. But there’s nothing specially the matter with him now.” ‘‘ Something or other 1s weighing upon his spirits.” “That may be. Young men have their seasons of torments and worries, just as all the rest of us have. I’m going in to the General.” ‘““A moment yet, Doctor,” said Maria, touching his arm to detain him, and insensibly lowering her voice. ‘‘ I want to ask you a trifling question. The woman that Mrs. Massey was speaking of last evening—she who wears the yellow cloak—do you know anything of her ?” “Not I,” said Dr. Palmer. “You don’t know who she is, or what brought her to the place, or what she is doing here ?” ‘Not at all. I have heard some of my patients talk of her. They call her the yellow woman,” he added, laughing slightly, ‘‘and seem to think she must be watching something or somebody. She is seen sheltering herself behind trees and hedges, peeping out upon the passers-by.” ‘“T wonder,” mused Maria, speaking to herself rather than to the Doctor, ‘‘ what she is here for ?” “Why do you want to know ?” Maria flashed a quick glance at him. ‘Oh, curiosity,” she answered, turning her head away. The unexpected appearance of the woman the previous night, and the warning word she had spoken— though whether for Allan or for herself she knew not—had impressed her with a vague uneasiness. But she shrank from speaking of it.” (CON) | as \ elnOO|KS.EO©