CHAPTER XXXVII

Dr.Trentlookedatherblanklyandfumbledamonghisrecollections. “Er—Miss—Miss—” “Mrs.Snaith,”saidValancyquietly.“IwasMissValancyStirlingwhenIcametoyoulastMay—overayearago.Iwantedtoconsultyouaboutmyheart.” Dr.Trent’sfacecleared. “Oh,ofcourse.Iremembernow.I’mreallynottoblamefornotknowingyou.You’vechanged—splendidly.Andmarried.Well,well,ithasagreedwithyou.Youdon’tlookmuchlikeaninvalidnow,hey?Irememberthatday.Iwasbadlyupset.HearingaboutpoorNedbowledmeover.ButNed’sasgoodasnewandyou,too,evidently.Itoldyouso,youknow—toldyoutherewasnothingtoworryover.” Valancylookedathim. “Youtoldme,inyourletter,”shesaidslowly,withacuriousfeelingthatsomeoneelsewastalkingthroughherlips,“thatIhadanginapectoris—inthelaststages—complicatedwithananeurism.ThatImightdieanyminute—thatIcouldn’tlivelongerthanayear.” Dr.Trentstaredather. “Impossible!”hesaidblankly.“Icouldn’thavetoldyouthat!” Valancytookhisletterfromherbagandhandedittohim. “MissValancyStirling,”heread.“Yes—yes.OfcourseIwroteyou—onthetrain—thatnight.ButItoldyoutherewasnothingserious——” “Readyourletter,”insistedValancy. Dr.Trenttookitout—unfoldedit—glancedoverit.Adismayedlookcameintohisface.Hejumpedtohisfeetandstrodeagitatedlyabouttheroom. “Goodheavens!ThisistheletterImeantforoldMissJaneSterling.FromPortLawrence.Shewasherethatday,too.Isentyouthewrongletter.Whatunpardonablecarelessness!ButIwasbesidemyselfthatnight.MyGod,andyoubelievedthat—youbelieved—butyoudidn’t—youwenttoanotherdoctor——” Valancystoodup,turnedround,lookedfoolishlyaboutherandsatdownagain. “Ibelievedit,”shesaidfaintly.