CHAPTER XIII. A SNEEZE OUT OF SEASON.

dandlookinghypocriticallyblank. “Go,atoncepickitupandbringithere,”washispromptdirectionadding,“Nobodywilltakenoticeofyou:Ishouldbeseen.” StraightIwent.Aftersomelittlesearch,Ifoundafoldedpaper,lodgedonthelowerbranchofashrubIseizedandbroughtitdirecttoDr.John.Thistime,IbelievenotevenRosinesawme. Heinstantlytorethebilletintosmallpieces,withoutreadingit.“Itisnotintheleastherfault,youmustremember,”hesaid,lookingatme. “Whosefault?”Iasked.“Whoisit?” “Youdon’tyetknow,then?” “Notintheleast.” “Haveyounoguess?” “None.” “IfIknewyoubetter,Imightbetemptedtorisksomeconfidence,andthussecureyouasguardianoveramostinnocentandexcellent,butsomewhatinexperiencedbeing.” “Asaduenna?”Iasked. “Yes,”saidheabstractedly.“Whatsnaresareroundher!”headded,musingly:andnow,certainlyforthefirsttime,heexaminedmyface,anxious,doubtless,toseeifanykindlyexpressionthere,wouldwarranthiminrecommendingtomycareandindulgencesomeetherealcreature,againstwhompowersofdarknesswereplotting.Ifeltnoparticularvocationtoundertakethesurveillanceofetherealcreaturesbutrecallingthesceneatthebureau,itseemedtomethatIowedhimagoodturn:ifIcouldhelphimthenIwould,anditlaynotwithmetodecidehow.Withaslittlereluctanceasmightbe,Iintimatedthat“IwaswillingtodowhatIcouldtowardstakingcareofanypersoninwhomhemightbeinterested.”. “Iamnofartherinterestedthanasaspectator,”saidhe,withamodesty,admirable,asIthought,towitness.“Ihappentobeacquaintedwiththeratherworthlesscharacteroftheperson,who,fromthehouseopposite,hasnowtwiceinvadedthesanctityofthisplaceIhavealsometinsocietytheobjectatwhomthesevulgarattemptsareaimed.Herexquisitesuperiorityandinnaterefinementought,onewouldthink,toscareimpertinencefromherveryidea.Itisnotso,howeverandinnocent,unsuspiciousassheis,IwouldguardherfromevilifIcould.Inperson,however,IcandonothingIcannotcomenearher”—hepaused. “Well,Iamwillingtohelpyou,”saidI,“onlytellmehow.”Andbusily,inmyownmind,Iranoverthelistofourinmates,seekingthisparagon,thispearlofgreatprice,thisgemwithoutflaw.“ItmustbeMadame,”Iconcluded.“Sheonly,amongstusall,hasthearteventoseemsuperior:butastobeingunsuspicious,inexperienced,&c.,Dr.Johnneednotdistracthimselfaboutthat.However,thisisjusthiswhim,andIwillnotcontradicthimheshallbehumoured:hisangelshallbeanangel. “Justnotifythequartertowhichmycareistobedirected,”Icontinuedgravely:chuckling,however,tomyselfoverthethoughtofbeingsettochaperonMadameBeckoranyofherpupils.NowDr.Johnhadafinesetofnerves,andheatoncefeltbyinstinct,whatnomorecoarselyconstitutedmindwouldhavedetectednamely,thatIwasalittleamusedathim.Thecolourrosetohischeekwithhalfasmileheturnedandtookhishat—hewasgoing.Myheartsmoteme. “Iwill—Iwillhelpyou,”saidIeagerly.“Iwilldowhatyouwish.IwillwatchoveryourangelIwilltakecareofher,onlytellmewhosheis.” “Butyoumustknow,”saidhethenwithearnestness,yetspeakingverylow.“Sospotless,sogood,sounspeakablybeautiful!impossiblethatonehouseshouldcontaintwolikeher.Iallude,ofcourse—” HerethelatchofMadameBeck’schamber-door(openingintothenursery)gaveasuddenclick,asifthehandholdingithadbeenslightlyconvulsedtherewasthesuppressedexplosionofanirrepressiblesneeze.Theselittleaccidentswillhappentothebestofus.Madame—excellentwoman!wasthenonduty.Shehadcomehomequietly,stolenup-stairsontip-toeshewasinherchamber.Ifshehadnotsneezed,shewouldhaveheardall,andsoshouldIbutthatunluckysternutationroutedDr.John.Whilehestoodaghast,shecameforwardalert,composed,inthebestyetmosttranquilspirits:nonovicetoherhabitsbutwouldhavethoughtshehadjustcomein,andscoutedtheideaofherearhavingbeengluedtothekey-holeforatleasttenminutes.Sheaffectedtosneezeagain,declaredshewas“enrhumée,”andthenproceededvolublytorecounther“coursesenfiacre.”Theprayer-bellrang,andIleftherwiththedoctor.