The ladies were upstairs packing, an operation on which they
can bestow as many hours as the thing needs minutes. One servant brought
in the tea; another came in soon after with a card, and said it was for
Miss Vizard; but he brought it to Harrington. He read it:
"MISS RHODA GALE, M.D."
"Send it up to Miss Vizard," said he. The man was going out: he stopped
him, and said, "You can show the lady in here, all the same."
Rhoda Gale was ushered in. She had a new gown and bonnet, not showy, but
very nice. She colored faintly at sight of the two gentlemen; but Vizard
soon put her at her ease. He shook hands with her, and said, "Sit down,
Miss Gale; my sister will soon be here. I have sent your card up to her."
"Shall I tell her?" said Severne, with the manner of one eager to be
agreeable to the visitor.
"If you please, sir," said Miss Gale.
Severne went out zealously, darted up to Zoe's room, knocked, and said,
"Pray come down: here is that doctress."
Meantime, Jack was giving Gill the card, and Gill was giving it Mary to
give to the lady. It got to Zoe's room in a quarter of an hour.
"Any news from mamma?" asked Vizard, in his blunt way.
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