A Hero, or a Heroine?, Chapter XVI-XXV [pp. 497-515]

506 A Hero, or a JJeroine.~
she must have some one for corn- Margaret had bought a very pretty
pany and for the sake of appear- little l~ouse, furnished it, and was cornances. She begged me to be that fortably established with Martha. Slie
somebody, because there was no one said Margaret always wrote in excelelse with whom she could feel inde- lent spirits, and seemed to her to be
pendent, and free to do what she enjoying her winter very much.
chose. I considered the subject a The doctor's "young man" Richweek, and then wrote her my consent ards, thanks to the careful instructions
to do as she wished, for next winter and preparation he had received, was
at least. It will be a great advantage now become of great assistance, and,
to me, of course, as well as a pleasure. being left in charge, had very successSt)il I should not think of it on that ac- fully treated several cases, and even
count for a moment, if I did not be- performed very well one or two surlieve that such an arrangement would gical operations, so that people bebe a good thing for her as well as for gan to feel considerable confidence in
me. I do believe so, and therefore I him. Dr. James encouraged this as
am going to try the expenment." much as possible; for the idea of giv "You will not repent it, I am sure. ing up his practice at Shellbeach and
And when do you go?" vicinity had taken strong hold on
Next week." him. Finding that he left his patients
"Has she bought her house?" in competent hands, he often went
"She has not decided yet, and away on business for a week at a time,
wants my help about furnishing, etc.; and felt his own work considerably
so the sooner I go the better." lightened.
"Is she in New York now?" At Christmas time, Miss Spdma~
"Yes, at a private boarding-house, went to New York, and staid a
where I am to stay with her till the month, and returned eioquent about
house is ready." the delights of her niece's establish Dr. James had made up his mind ment, and the chan~ing people she
that nothing would astoni~ him had met. The doctor, by careful quesagain, yet this did take him by sur- tions, learned from her that Marprise; after he thought about it, how- garet was occupied with countless
ever, he only wondered such an ar- good works and ~hanties, though Miss
rangement had not occurred to him Selina seemed to have only a vague
before. Miss Burney was a great loss idea what they were. She described
to him; for there was no other woman to her attentive auditor how she
whose society was any pleasure to him, breakfasted in her own room, every
and Father Barry was now the only day, at ten o'clock, or as much later
person with whom he had any sym as she liked, (which had always been
pathy, and of him he saw more and her idea of comfort,) and then had
more. the carriage to do what she chose till
He begged Martha Burney to luncheon at two, when she saw Marwnte to him, but she was a miserable garet for the first time; for she was alcorrespondent; her letters were few ways full of her charitable en gageand far between, and never told him ments till one, when she came home
what he wanted to know. He was to dress. After luncheon, in time for
obliged to go to Miss Spelman for all which some pleasant person always
his information regarding these two dropped in, they drove, visited, or
people in whom he was so deeply in- shopped, and dined at six. Then
terested. He heard from her that Miss Spdman told of the opera, and