Dr.Farnsworth, as Cleggett knew, was just out of medical school.He had his degree, but no patients.But he was bold and ready.He was, in short, just the lad to welcome with enthusiasm such a chance for active service as the cruise of the Jasper B.promised to afford.
It was something of a risk to weaken his little party by sending George away for several hours.But Cleggett did not hesitate.He was not the man to allow considerations of personal safety to outweigh his devotion to an ideal.
"And now," said Cleggett, turning to Lady Agatha, who had hearkened to his orders to George with a bright smile of approval, "we will dine, and I will hear the rest of your story, which was so rudely interrupted.It is possible that together we may be able to find some solution of your problem.""Dine!" exclaimed Lady Agatha, eagerly."Yes, let us dine! It may sound incredible to you, Mr.Cleggett, that the daughter of an English peer and the widow of a baronet should confess that, except for your tea, she has scarcely eaten for twenty-four hours--but it is so!"Then she said, sadly, with a sign and sidelong glance at the box of Reginald Maltravers which stood near the cabin companionway dripping coldly: "Until now, Mr.Cleggett--until your aid had given me fresh hope and strength--I had, indeed, very little appetite."Cleggett followed her gaze, and it must be admitted that he himself experienced a momentary sense of depression at the sight of the box of Reginald Maltravers.It looked so damp, it looked so chill, it looked so starkly and patiently and malevolently watchful of himself and Lady Agatha.In a flash his lively fancy furnished him with a picture of the box of Reginald Maltravers suddenly springing upright and hopping towards him on one end with a series of stiff jumps that would send drops of moisture flying from the cracks and seams and make the ice inside of it clink and tinkle.And the mournful Elmer, now drowsing callously over his charge, was not an invitation to be blithe.If Cleggett himself were so affected (he mused) what must be the effect of the box of Reginald Maltravers upon sensibilities as fine and delicate as those of a woman like Lady Agatha Fairhaven?
"Could I--if I might--" Lady Agatha hesitated, with a glance towards the cabin.Cleggett instantly divined her thought; for brief as was theiracquaintance, there was an almost psychic accord between his mind and hers, and he felt himself already answering to her unspoken wish as a ship to its rudder.
"The cabin is at your service," said Cleggett, for he understood that she wished to dress for dinner.He conducted her, with a touch of formality, to his own room in the cabin, which he put at her disposal, ordering her steamer trunks to be placed in it.Then, taking with him some necessaries of his own, he withdrew to the forecastle to make a careful toilet.
It might not have occurred to another man to dress for dinner, but Cleggett's character was an unusual blend of delicacy and strength; he perceived subtly that Lady Agatha was of the nature to appreciate this compliment.At a moment when her fortunes were at a low ebb what could more cheer a woman and hearten her than such a mark of consideration? Already Cleggett found himself asking what would please Lady Agatha.
