Four Gates by Amy Le Feuvre

"A kindly word and a kindly deed, A helpful hand in time of need."

WHEN she opened her eyes, she found herself upon the sofa, and Mrs. Dutton was hovering over her with wet handkerchiefs and a glass of brandy and water.

Audrey began to laugh.

"I'm all right. Don't look so scared, Mrs. Dutton!"

Then her eyes fell on Dr. Vernon, who stood in the doorway, and seemed to her to fill the room.

"Oh! Are you waiting still? " she said.

"I think you want to be in a doctor's hands," he said gravely.

"Not at all," Audrey replied with haste, the blood rushing back quickly to her white cheeks; "you have naturally rather upset me, and I'm only just getting over a bad cold, am I not, Mrs. Dutton? I have never fainted before in my life, and it isn't my fault that I did so this time."

"I'm sure, miss, I'm thankful your friends has found you out," said Mrs. Dutton. "I says to my 'usband this morning that I'd a mind to fetch the doctor myself, for you were just going the way the other young lady did, and she were buried six weeks after she took to bed. And she fed herself much better than you've a-done lately!"

"Go away, please, Mrs. Dutton," said Audrey, with another weak laugh. "I haven't taken to my bed, nor do I mean to be buried just yet."

Mrs. Dutton departed, but cast an imploring glance at Dr. Vernon as she did so.

"Can that woman help you to pack? " he said.

"How pertinacious you are! You have no consideration or pity. I have hardly got my breath back yet. I suppose I shall have to go with you. You have taken advantage of my weakness. I haven't the strength to resist, and you know it. If you will leave me, I shall be ready in about half an hour. I can meet you at Victoria Station."

She hesitated, not seeing the gleam of relief that crossed his face, then said, despairingly:

"I was in the act of writing to Mr. Blunt when you arrived to ask him to forward me a cheque. My father's affairs, as you know, are not properly settled yet. I owe Mrs. Dutton something, and must pay her before I go."

"I will settle that. I will return in half an hour."

He left the room, and Audrey, feeling as if she were in a dream, dragged herself upstairs.

As she glanced at her half-written letter which had cost her so much to write, she murmured to herself:

"At any rate, I am saved from the Miss Blunts' merciless criticism. I am too downhearted to hold out against probable employment. But if it is not a bona fide situation, I shall come back to London. I will not be beholden to him for one single penny!"

She packed her one trunk which she had had forwarded to her from home, and then sat down, wishing her limbs would not tremble beneath her so. Mrs. Dutton very soon came up to her.