"'Shall we go home?' I said, with a sudden impulse of kindness.
"He grasped my hand so tightly that the diamonds hurt me.
"'If you would—if you only would!'
"'Let us go to-morrow, then,' I answered. 'No, that cannot be, I have engagements; but next week. We shall get home in full time for the orange-blossoms.'
"'And you will go?'
"'Certainly. All this is getting very tiresome. Even the spite of the women has lost its charm.'
"That morning we went into the breakfast-room together, and then I remarked how completely Mr. Dennison's appetite had failed. This made me very thoughtful. What if he should die?'
"'Cora,' I said that night, as the girl was undressing me, 'have you observed how ill Mr. Dennison looks?'
"'Yes, I have, young mistress, and it has frightened me dreadfully.'
"'Frightened you, Cora? Is he so far gone as that? I did not dream of your caring so much for him.'