"No, Lottie, my heart aches too much for that."
"Then lie still, and keep watch while I go out. It is ten days since I have breathed the fresh air. Can I trust you?"
"Yes, Lottie."
The creature bent down and kissed me with great feeling; she too was affected by the general depression. All her wild animal spirits seemed hushed for the time.
"I didn't mean to be hard with you the other day," she whispered, "so don't mind it. Nobody thinks more of you than this child, you may believe that."
She glided out of the room, leaving the door open. Mrs. Dennison turned her head quickly as she went out, but did not seem to observe that the bed was occupied.
CHAPTER L.
CONFIDENTIAL CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE WIDOW AND MRS. LEE.
I was greatly exhausted. The walk from my room to the tower, and that brief interview with Mrs. Lee, had proved more than I could bear. So I lay helplessly on the bed, watching the scene in the inner room like one in a dream. How softly that woman moved about the chamber—how low and sweet were the tones of her voice! No wonder the invalid grew calm and cheerful under such ministration; it soothed even me.