“And I don’t doubt fortunate for me. It is not often one receives a traveller from the forest.”
“You have ascertained, then, that she really came from there?”
“Of course! I ascertained it by attending simply to her voice and manner. One needs no other guarantees.”
“Well, I can but hope your friendship stands the test of time. For myself, I can only say, as usual, I think you showed true discernment in admitting her to shelter for the night, though at first, to speak truthfully, I must admit your conduct greatly astonished me. What is her name?”
“Rosalie Paleaf.”
CHAPTER XXII
A NEW LEASE OF LIFE
When Rosalie awoke next morning, it was in a comfortable modern bedroom, furnished with regard to health, and a conception of beauty thrown in.
For the first time truly in her life and experience she awoke with a light heart, and such unusual brightness of spirits that she seemed at last, for the time at least, to have realised the pleasure and joy of simply being alive. The tired sickness of the night before had entirely vanished.
The sky overhead was blue and bright, the air cold. Nothing could have been more promising for a new entry into an old world.
Brightcoat, who had spent the night on the marble washing-stand, now took recreation in the basin of water Rosalie poured for him, whilst she, being less cold-blooded, as it were, was nothing loath to accept the warm water that was brought for her.