“That is answer enough!” he retorted sadly. “Poor, poor child! You shall not be sacrificed.” (Love him, and forget his question? The two things were incompatible. He was answered, he considered, and completely.)
With a swelling heart she held out her limp, cold hand to him.
“Be my brother,” she said, with a catching at her breath. “Remember—how alone—I am!”
He stooped and lightly touched her hand with his lips.
“If I were your brother, I should stay,” he said, gravely.
“If you were my brother, you would do as you like without asking me,” she said, with an attempt at a smile. “Do as you like.”
At that moment there was a tap at the door, and the older of the two nurses peeped in.
“Might I trouble you one moment, Mr. Paull?”
He went outside. The nurse handed him a small sealed packet.
“A locket and chain from the patient’s neck,” she said. “Mrs. Mervyn would not take it.”