She never moved.  She stood there white and defiant and panting, her glittering eyes riveted to his face.  With a sullen oath he opened the door and walked out, baffled once more.

“Curse the little vixen!” he muttered, as he stalked down-stairs; “she’s made of the stuff that breaks but never bends.  I believe in my soul if I was to carry her off to sea to-morrow she would leap overboard and end it all the day after.  I wish I had never listened to Blanche’s tempting.  I wish I had left the little termagant in peace.  The game isn’t worth the candle.”

He found Mrs. Susan Sharpe sitting where he had left her, with her imperturbable face still turned to the fire, her bonnet and shawl still on.

“Take off those things!” he ordered, harshly, pointing to the offending garments—­it was a relief to vent his spleen on some one.  “Why the deuce don’t you take her to her room?” turning savagely upon Sally.  “Let her have the chamber next my patient, and then go into her room and fetch away the tray, and see what you can do for her.”

He flung himself into a chair.  Mrs. Sharpe rose with an immovable face.

“Lor’!” said old Sally, “don’t snap our heads off, Master Guy!  I can’t help that young woman’s tantrums upstairs; so, if she puts you out of temper, you needn’t come howling at me.  This way, ma’am.”

Mrs. Sharpe, with a stolid countenance, followed Sally upstairs.  The old woman, grumbling angrily all the way, led her into a small, draughty apartment adjoining that of her charge.

“There!” said Sally, snappishly:  “this here is your room, and the crazy young woman’s is next.  Take off your things, and then come down-stairs and see what he wants next, and don’t have him biting at us as if we was dogs!”

Mrs. Sharpe obeyed orders to the letter.  In five minutes she was back in the kitchen, ready for action.  The carroty locks were partly covered with a black, uncouth cap, and a large stuff apron protected her dingy bombazine dress.  She turned a questioning face upon her employer, but spoke never a word.

“This is the key of your patient’s room,” he said, handing it to her; “you will go up and introduce yourself, and do whatever is needful.  I am going back to town to-night.  Don’t let me have any fault to find with you when I return.”

Mrs. Sharpe took the key and turned to go.

“I know my duty, sir,” she said, as she walked out.  “I know what I came to do, and I’ll do it.”

Dr. Oleander turned to his mother and old Sally when the nurse had gone.

“What do you think of her, mother?”

“I don’t like her,” Mrs. Oleander answered, promptly.  “I wouldn’t trust a person with hair like that as far as I could see them!”

“Pooh, pooh! what’s her hair got to do with it?”

“Very well,” said Mrs. Oleander, nodding sagaciously.  “It’s nothing to me; but a red-haired person is never to be trusted.”