The Chain of Destiny by Betty Neels Page A

parties or dancing, and early nights with a rest after lunch each day. And she is never to go anywhere on her own, at least until he has seen her again.’
    â€˜You heard that, lieveling ? It is hard, I know, but we will make it up to you as soon as we may do so. You have been so ill, and another week or two will restore you completely.’
    Juffrouw van Dijl said something fierce in Dutch and turned to Suzannah. ‘And suppose I refuse all this silly cosseting?’
    â€˜Professor Bowers-Bentinck has instructed me to tell him immediately if his instructions aren’t carried out.’
    Julie van Dijl tossed her lovely head. ‘Oh, he did, did he?’ She smiled. ‘Dear Guy, he wishes me to get wellquickly, so I will do as he says. But you will not stay a day longer than is necessary. I will put up with you because he wishes it, but only because of that. You had better go to your room and unpack…’
    â€˜Thank you, but first I must make sure that you go to your room too and rest. Do you wish me to unpack for you?’
    â€˜Certainly not. I have a maid. And I am not tired…’
    Suzannah said in her calm voice, ‘Perhaps not, but you have just said that you would do as the professor asked.’
    Juffrouw van Dijl made a face and got up out of her chair, and her mother gave a relieved smile. ‘We shall see you later, Julie. I’m sure Professor Bowers-Bentinck knows best, he is one of the most successful surgeons there is and he is, after all, a family friend.’
    Her daughter gave her an impatient look, not speaking, and strolled out of the room with Suzannah trailing her.
    The man who had opened the door was in the hall and with him a tall, bony woman, who exclaimed with pleasure at the sight of Juffrouw van Dijl and hurried her up the solid staircase. Half-way to the floor above, she turned and beckoned to Suzannah, who had been wondering what she should do. The man, some kind of butler she imagined, had ignored her and she didn’t think she was supposed to go back to Mevrouw van Dijl. She went upstairs thankfully and crossed the wide landing to where the other two were waiting for her.
    Julie van Dijl’s room was a splendid one, overlooking the side of the house; it would have been a fitting background for a film star with its lush carpet, satin curtains and canopied bed. Suzannah stood uncertainly on its threshold.
    â€˜You have the room next to mine, through that door.’ So she crossed the room and opened another door. The room beyond was very much smaller, nicely furnished but impersonal, rather like a hotel-room. But the view from the window was pleasant as it overlooked the garden too. Suzannah took off her jacket, peeped round another door leading to a small bathroom and went back to Julie’s room.
    She was surprised when she said, ‘Your room’s all right? The nurse was there when I was ill.’ She was still more surprised when Julie added in an almost friendly voice, ‘I like the door to be kept open at night.’ She hesitated. ‘In case I should want anything.’
    â€˜Of course. Can I do anything to help you now?’
    The maid was unpacking at the other end of the room, her head bent over the piles of clothes she was folding carefully.
    â€˜I think that I am now tired. I shall lie down.’ A signal for Suzannah to take the soft quilt from the daybed by the window and spread it out invitingly. She plumped up the pillows too, and then tucked her charge in without fuss. ‘A book to read?’ she asked.
    â€˜No, you had better unpack. I suppose you want tea.’ She said something to the maid, who went away, annoyed at being hindered from her unpacking. ‘We dine at seven o’clock—much earlier than in England— Anna will help me change. I suppose you have something fit to wear?’
    Suzannah reminded herself that Julie van Dijl had been very ill. ‘I have a dress,’ she said