"Mr. Brandon will take charge of you, Kit; there's a dear," said he, gently, then turned again to the door, and tenderly handed out his sister. She came instantly to me with dry eyes, and firm, low voice, only with face so pale. She frankly held forth her hand, which—which I took in both my own.
"Have you heard anything further?"
I shook my head.
"And you have been sitting up here all night waiting for us. How kind, yet how tired you must be!"
"I never expected you till evening," I answered, bluntly, and was rewarded by a look of quick, reproachful surprise.
"Harrod reached us at one o'clock. It took very little time to get ready. Mr. Brandon, can you make any conjecture as to the nature of his illness?"
"None whatever; fever of some kind, I am half inclined to believe, contracted while off on this court-martial tour."
She bowed her head, and now silent tears fell from her eyes. Harrod led her to one side and, putting his arm around her, stood whispering cheeringly to her. Then I turned to Kitty, who was very quietly engaged in getting out satchels, baskets, and travelling-bags; all was done before I reached her.
"It is a surprise to see you, Miss Kitty."
"A surprise! Surely you did not suppose I would let Paulie go on so sad a journey without me. There are many ways in which I can help her."