"
As he spoke the doctor could not help having driven into him the
conviction that the words were spoken with meaning, that Valentine knew
the nature of Cuckoo's mission to Harley Street. There rose in him
suddenly a violent sensation of enmity against Valentine. He strove
to beat it down, but he could not. Never had he felt such enmity against
any man. It was like the fury so obviously felt by Cuckoo. The doctor
was ashamed to be so unreasonable, and believed for a moment that the
poor street-girl had absolutely swayed him, and predisposed him to this
animus that surged up over his normal charity and good, clear impulses
of tenderness for all that lived.
"My aid," he said--and the turmoil within him caused him to speak with
unusual sternness. "And if she did, what then?"
"Poor Cuckoo!" Julian said, and there was a touch of real tenderness in
his voice.
"Oh, I have nothing to say against it," Valentine replied, buttoning
slowly and carefully the last button of the second glove. "Only, Cuckoo
Bright is beyond aid. She can neither help herself nor any one else."
"How do you know, Cresswell?"
"Because I have observed, doctor. Once I, too, thought that even
Cuckoo might--might--well, have some fight in her.
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