“My physician is reconciled to my going. We must all bow to necessity.”
This was said too firmly to admit a reply. “The old house will seem very dark again whenever you do go,” said Vizard, plaintively.
“It will soon be brightened by her who is its true and lasting light,” was the steady reply.
A day or two passed with nothing to record, except that Vizard hung about Ina Klosking, and became, if possible, more enamored of her and more unwilling to part with her.
Mr. Ashmead arrived one afternoon about three o'clock, and was more than an hour with her. They conversed very earnestly, and when he went, Miss Gale found her agitated.
“This will not do,” said she.
“It will pass, my friend,” said Ina. “I will sleep.”
She laid herself down and slept three hours before dinner.
She arose refreshed, and dined with the little party; and on retiring to the drawing-room, she invited Vizard to join them at his convenience. He made it his convenience in ten minutes.
Then she opened the piano, played an introduction, and electrified them all by singing the leading song in Siebel. She did not sing it so powerfully as in the theater; she would not have done that even if she could: but still she sung it out, and nobly. It seemed a miracle to hear such singing in a room.