"'I am glad you are quite well again, Zillah,' was all I could bring myself to say.
"She murmured something—I do not know exactly what—at the same moment she caught sight of James standing in the window. The color rushed in a torrent to her face, then as suddenly receded, leaving her pale and trembling with excitement.
"She went timidly toward him. He did not stir—did not even look round. Was it because he was afraid to let us see his face?
"Zillah stopped in the recess, and I heard her say in a faltering voice—
"'Mr. James, Mr. James! Everybody else is glad to see poor Zillah back, but you will not even speak to me.'
"He turned then. He was very pale, and his features were set and hard. I was certain this arose from a violent effort to conceal his feelings.
"'I am very glad you are well again,' he said; 'my mother has missed you.'
"The girl made a quick, angry gesture, and I saw—yes, I could swear that it was not fancy—I saw James Harrington make a little sign with his hand, as if to caution her.
"She checked herself at once, and with a few broken words about her love of her mistress, she turned away and went hastily out of the room.
"'Poor Zillah,' said Mrs. Harrington, 'she could not bear it any longer; she has gone away to have a good cry all by herself. She is the most sensitive, affectionate creature I ever saw in my life. I must go after her or she will be getting into one of her desperate fits, thinking nobody is pleased to have her back.'