Dr. Grey hoped that Mrs. Gerome had fallen asleep; but when he bent over her, he saw in the mirror above her that the large, bright eyes were gazing vacantly into the recess of the desk.
She noticed his image reflected in the glass, and instantly sat upright, spreading her hands over her papers as if to 262 screen them. He drew a chair near hers, and put his finger on her pulse, which throbbed so rapidly he could scarcely count it.
“Have you slept at all, since I left you this morning?”
“No.”
“You promised that you would not attempt to destroy yourself.”
“I have kept my word.”
“Yes; you ‘keep it to our ear, and break it to our hope,’ for you must know that unless you take some rest and refreshment, you will be seriously ill.”
He saw a spark leap up in her eyes, like a bubble tossed into sunshine by a sudden ripple, and she shook back the hair that seemed to oppress her.
“Do not tease and torment me, now. I want to be quiet.”
“My task is an unpleasant one, therefore I shall not postpone it. In a short time—within the next hour—Elsie will be buried, and you owe a last tribute of gratitude and respect to her remains. Will you refuse it to the faithful friend to whom you are indebted for so much affection and considerate care?”