Karen, raised on her elbow, was trembling.
"Lay down, honey," said Mrs. Talcott, gently and gravely, as they looked at each other; and, as she came towards the bed, Karen obeyed her and joined her hands together. "Oh, will you come with us?" she breathed. "Will you stay with me? I can live if you stay with me, Mrs. Talcott—dear Mrs. Talcott."
She stretched out her hands to her, and Mrs. Talcott, sitting down on the bed beside her, took her in her arms.
"You're all right, now, honey. I'm not going to leave you," she said, stroking back Karen's hair.
Karen leaned her head against her breast, and closed her eyes.
"Listen, honey," said Mrs. Talcott, who spoke in low, careful tones: "I want to ask you something. Do you love Franz Lippheim? Just answer me quiet and easy now. I'm right here, and you're as safe as safe can be."
Karen, on Mrs. Talcott's breast, shook her head. "Oh, no, Mrs. Talcott; you could not believe that. Why should I love dear Franz?"
"Then it's only so as to set your husband free that you're marrying Franz?" Mrs. Talcott went on in the same even voice.
"But no, Mrs. Talcott," said Karen, "I am not going to marry Franz." And now she lifted her head and looked at Mrs. Talcott. "Why do you ask me that? Who has told you that I am to marry Franz?"
Mrs. Talcott, keeping an arm around her, laid her back on the pillow.