Doctor Raoul's Romance Read Online Free PDF

“Like a gray English sea, touched by sudden sunlight.”
    He took Gillian’s thin little hand, kissing it gallantly, French fashion.
    “Madame, may I assure you I have not the slightest intention of tiring you.” He sat on the edge of the bed, still holding her hand, his fingers now on the pulse. His eyes strayed to the little table where the “patience” puzzles were, then back to Gillian in her blue nightgown, her fair hair floating softly about her face, her eyes much too bright.
    Then he picked up one of the puzzles and moved it lightly between his hands, trying to make the elusive little balls fit into their proper holes.
    “Madame,” he said, “this is a charming little puzzle. I would like to ask you whether you have been successful in solving it.”
    Nicholas, his nerves evidently at breaking point, burst out angrily, “Doctor, my wife is not a child. The children bring these things to amuse themselves, when they’re with her. But I’m sure you are a busy man, as I am. Must we waste time on trivialities like this?”
    Gillian gave a light, tinkling laugh. As a schoolgirl, she had practised that laugh a lot, and now she could produce it effortlessly whenever she wanted.
    “Darling, please don’t interrupt. I’d much rather Dr. Dubois asked me questions about puzzles than have him prodding me asking whether this or that hurts.”
    The doctor said gently, “I assure you both, my question is not trivial at all. I am very anxious that it should be answered.”
    Nicholas scowled at him. Dr. Lerouge moved restlessly. Adrien, standing in front of the window, caught hold of the sill, and held on to it frantically to prevent herself from rushing across to Nicholas, taking his hand, and exclaiming, “Don’t, darling, don’t look so worried. It’s all right, really it is. This doctor may be exasperating, but he’s clever. Oh yes, he’s clever all right. You can tell that at once. There’s something behind this silly question of his. It’s leading up to something. You must let Gillian answer.”
    Dr. Dubois said evenly, “Madame, please may I have my answer?”
    Gillian hesitated, put her head on one side playfully, as though determined to be as annoying as the doctor, but Adrien got the impression that they already understood each other very well.
    “Let me see, what was your question, Monsieur le Docteur? Oh yes, I remember! You asked whether I’ve succeeded in solving that little puzzle. Well, yes. As a matter of fact, I have.”
    “Good,” said Dr. Dubois, smiling at her. “That was the answer I had hoped for.” He moved his hands a little, tilting the box, and the little colored balls ran swift l y, safely, into their places.
    He said, “To solve a puzzle like this one needs steadiness and patience. And confidence. Otherwise one’s hands tremble and things go wrong. These are qualities you are going to need, madame. And I am convinced you have them.”
    “I’ll try, Doctor,” Gillian breathed, her eyes never leaving his face.
    Dr. Dubois got up from the bed, and walked slowly across the room.
    “The treatment I propose is radical. I propose a series of injections of a new chemical compound I have discovered, which strengthens the heart and forces it to strong, firm action. I am using layman’s language, you understand?”
    Dr. Lerouge started to say something, then stopped. Dr. Dubois glanced at him. He said, “I believe my colleague feels I ought to warn you that my work in this field is still largely experimental.”
    Nicholas exclaimed, “Do you mean you intend to use my wife as a sort of guinea pig? I won’t have you come here with a suggestion like that! Dr. Lerouge, how could you let him?”
    Dr. Dubois laid a calming hand on Nicholas’s shoulder.
    “Calm yourself, monsieur , ” he said quietly. “There is no need to be excited. I think your wife understands very well what the, situation is.”
    Gillian said, “This treatment is dangerous, isn’t it, Doctor? Will I