"Not so soon. She telegraphed me last night."
"Mrs. Mallow met her at the Hot Springs yesterday, and told her that Letty was ill. That brought her down. She has been at the Hot Springs for several weeks."
Blackburn had grown white; but, without speaking, he turned away from the terrace, and walked through the library to the hall. Near the door Angelica was leaning on the arm of a nurse, and as he approached, she broke away from the support, and took a single step forward.
"Oh, David, I want my child! You cannot keep me away from my child!"
She was pale and worn, her face was transparent and drawn, and there were hollows under the grey velvet of her eyes; but she was still lovely—she was still unconquerable. The enchanting lines had not altered. Though her colour had been blotted out, as if by the single stroke of a brush, the radiance of her expression was unchanged, and when she smiled her face looked again as if the light of heaven had fallen over it. Never, not even in the days of her summer splendour, had Caroline felt so strongly the invincible power of her charm and her pathos.
"No, I cannot keep you away from her," Blackburn answered gently, and at his words Angelica moved toward the staircase.
"Help me, Cousin Matty. Take me to her." Abandoning the nurse, she caught Mrs. Timberlake's arm, clinging to her with all her strength, while the two ascended the stairs together.
Blackburn turned back into the library, and, for a moment, Caroline was left alone with the stranger.
"Have you known Mrs. Blackburn long?" asked the other nurse, "she must have been so very beautiful."
"For some time. Yes, she was beautiful."