Page:Edgar Jepson--the four philanthropists.djvu/68

62 eyes, they made me uncomfortable—something very like an ecstasy of gratitude, very discomfiting, shone in them; and all for nothing at all.

Presently she moved a little in the chair, and I said at once: "Now I think that bed is the best place for you; and we will arrange your affairs in the morning. Do you think you can manage to get into it?"

"Yes, I think so," she said faintly.

"Or, I tell you what. You lie on the top of it, and get to sleep. When you wake, the food will have got hold of you, and you'll feel stronger."

With that I picked her up, carried her into the bedroom, laid her on the bed and covered her with a rug.

"There," I said. "You put in a good night's rest, and you'll be another creature in the morning. Good-night!"

"Good-night, and I'm so much obliged—and—and—so sorry. I—I ought to have seen," she stammered.

"That's all right; that's all right. Good-night," I said hastily, and came out and shut the door.

I came into the sitting-room, filled a pipe, lighted it, and sat down to consider my windfall and its responsibilities. In the midst of this consideration I was disturbed by a rapping on my oak, low, but fast and nervous. The sound brought