Page:The Redemption of Anthony (1911).djvu/101

 He sat down beside her, and she threw herself into conversation. "It's fine to be down again, and everybody's been so good! Peter carried me down—oh, so carefully!"

"Oh, yes, Peter. Where is he?"

"He's gone," she said simply.

He leaned toward her eagerly. "Priscilla, did you send him away?"

"Why, I—yes—that is—"

He breathed deeply and rose. "Thank Heaven!" he said softly; then: "You're tired—we're all exciting you."

"Well, I am tired," she admitted. "I suppose I'm not as strong as I thought I was."

He picked up her book, open on her lap, and began to read aloud softly. She smiled her thanks, and lay back on her pillow, watching him. His strong, lean face showed signs of the past week of anxiety, and a new softness had found place there. His voice went on and on, and then she lost track. Tony looked up and saw that she was asleep. He closed the book over his finger, and sat and looked at her—drank in