He knew how much
afraid she was of it, and how anxious she would be for him if she knew
where he spent the hours not given to her. So he did not tell her of
poor little Bessie, who grew weaker and weaker every day, until at last
the old doctor shook his head, and between the pinches of snuff which he
blew about vigorously, said there was one chance in a hundred for her,
and if she had any friends who wished to see her, they should be sent
for at once. But there was no one save Neil, whom Daisy expected every
day, and Grey filled his place altogether with Bessie. She always called
him Neil, and once, with a most grieved expression on her face, she said
to him:
"Why don't you kiss me, Neil? You have not since you came."
Daisy and Flossie had gone to dinner, and the nurse was resting a few
moments in the adjoining room, while Grey sat by her patient; thus he
was alone with Bessie, when she startled him with the question, "Why
don't you kiss me, Neil?"
Bending over her, he said:
"Would you like me to kiss you Bessie?"
"Ye-es," she answered, faintly, and then Grey pressed his lips to hers
in a long, passionate kiss, with no thought that there was danger and
possible death in the hot breath which he felt upon his cheek as he laid
it against hers.
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