John Seneschal's Margaret

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER JUST JOHN DOCTOR CALDWELL read the letter of his country colleague with a contemptuous snort, and tossed it aside. He had had his usual arduous day, his usual excellent dinner; he was preparing to smoke his usual excellent cigar. He laughed a little over the fatuity of the rustic medico who wrote of the son of a local squire as if he were heir to the Crown. It was likely that he, Ernest Caldwell, F.R.C.S., who had already come to pick and choose his patients; who, even then, was scarce able to cope with the demands of a growing reputation, should, in the thick of the season, be able to throw away a day! And this to feast his eyes on the sight of Dr. Weatherby's cure; the ostensible reason being the burying of an old gentleman whom he had only once beheld. It was really rather too Arcadian! This was his hour of rest. He lit his cigar, pushed away the pile of letters which still awaited attention, flung himself into his armchair and picked up the last copy of the weekly illustrated paper which had been laid to his hand. As the operator a la mode, he took an interest, at once cynical and professional, in that section of the press which exposed the follies and foibles of his clientele. He opened the paper haphazard. Margaret Amber's face looked out at him from the full page! Dr. Caldwell sat staring at the frank, vivid young face. It was a recent portrait. Margaret had grown thinner and more thoughtful looking, but the characteristics which had so much impressed themselves upon him seemed even more striking than at their first meeting. The steadiness of the eyes with their hint of defiance; the full womanly mouth with its promise of tenderness, its lines of courage and strength; the broad, low forehead, noble, serene. A girl in ten thousand! He looked ...