Neither answered, and in the pause some one knocked at the door. It was Mrs. Perry, come to tell me that Gareth was calmer and conscious, and was asking for me.
I told them the good news and added: "May I go and tell her you are both here waiting to see her—together?"
Neither would be the first to give way.
"I will take the risk," I said. "I will go and tell her, and then whichever of you refuses shall have the responsibility;" and without giving them time to answer I went upstairs to Gareth.
She was looking woefully wan and ill, her face almost as colourless as the linen on which she lay. She welcomed me with a smile and whispered my name as I bent and kissed her.
"I am feeling so weak, Christabel," she murmured. "Am I really ill? Or why am I here?"
"Not ill, dearest—but not quite well. That is all; and I have such news for you that it will soon make you quite well."
Her sensitive face clouded and her lips twitched nervously. "About Karl—I mean Gustav,—and—oh, I remember," and clasping her hands to her face turned away trembling.
"Remember what, dear?"
"My father—his look, oh——"