Page:Richard Marsh--The goddess a demon.djvu/40

28 breathing; she slept softly as a child. The sight which she presented touched the housekeeper's womanly heart.

"She does look a picture, that's certain! And quite the lady! And isn't she prettily dressed! My word, what lovely rings!"

The girl's hands were extended on her lap. I saw that on her fingers were what seemed to be two or three valuable rings. Now that Mrs. Peddar had started, her enthusiasm almost equalled mine.

"How pale she is—and how beautiful! It's plain that the poor thing's tired out and out. And you say that she came through the window! But however did she get there? and who is she? and where did she come from?" "As I have told you, I have put those questions to her already, without success. As you can see for yourself, she appears to be worn out by fatigue. I think that if you could give her a bed for to-night—I, of course, will be responsible for all expenses—in the morning we may be able to obtain from her all the information we require."

"She shall have the bed all right, sir; I shouldn't be surprised if you're right for once. She looks a lady; and, anyhow, I never could be hard to any one so beautiful. But who's to wake her? She is so sound asleep, poor dear!"