"'Drink a little,' I said.
"The creature's hand shook so that she could scarcely hold the goblet, but the tremor passed quickly.
"'Thank you, young mistress,' she said, with a humility that displeased me, because it looked like acting. 'It is not the thing for you to wait on me.'
"'Are you better?' I asked.
"'Yes—yes—well now! I think it was only joy—my dear, dear mistress! I have this queer pain lately when I am taken of a sudden. It will go away by and by; I'm going to lie down—mayn't I, Miss Mabel?'
"It was absurd to ask the question—the girl had always done just as she pleased.
"'You know that you can,' I said.
"'If my mistress wants me, I'll come at once—I want to do everything for her now. I'm quite well—quite strong.'
"She got up from the lounge and walked down the corridor, but her step was unsteady and faltering. I was sorry for her, but my repugnance, my absolute repulsion toward the beautiful creature was only increased, though I could not have told why.
"Even her affection for her mistress seemed so exaggerated, that I could not believe it. Oh, I was growing very hard and wicked. I reproached myself bitterly, but the strange distrust would not be overcome.