The scarlet spray of pelargonium had withered from the heat of her head, where it had rested all the evening, and the large creamy Grand Duke jasmine fastened at her throat by a sprig of coral, was drooping and fading, but still exhaled its strong delicious perfume.
“Your appearance contradicts your assertion. Is your wakefulness attributable to any anxiety or trouble which I can remove?”
“No, sir. I hear Elbert opening the gate. Who is sick at ‘Solitude’?”
“The servant who was so severely injured many months ago, by a fall from a carriage, has grown suddenly worse.”
Salome accompanied him to the front door, in order to lock it after his departure; and, as he descended the steps, he turned and said, in a subdued voice,—
“You have probably heard that Mrs. Gerome is a very peculiar,—indeed, a decidedly eccentric person?”
“Yes, sir; it is reported that she is almost a lunatic.”
“Which is totally false. She is very sensitive, and shrinks from strangers, and consequently has no friends here. If I should find Elsie dying, or if I need you, I wish you to come promptly. It may be necessary to have some one beside the household, and you are the only person I can trust. Try to go to sleep immediately, for I may send for you very early in the morning.”
“I shall be ready to come when I am needed.”