“She has just this instant opened her eyes, and has scarcely yet collected her thoughts, I think,” said the young man, in a low tone, as he gave place to the old woman, and went out of the house to conceal from her the traces of his strong emotion.
“How does ’ee feel, dearie?” inquired the dame, bending over the revived girl.
“I don’t think I quite know,” answered Gloria, with a bewildered look, as she passed her hand over her forehead, as if to clear away some mental mist of forgetfulness, and opened her eyes, half raised herself in bed and gazed around her.
“Does ’ee know me, dearie?”
“Oh, yes, dee-ar, good Dame Lindsay, but I don’t remember——”
“Does ’ee know where ’ee is, darling?”
“To be sure I do know this dee-ar old cottage, but I can’t remember coming here at all!”
“As how should ’ee, indeed, darling? ’Ee knowed nothing about it! Now, don’t talk any more, and don’t even think, if ’ee can help it; but lie still until I bring ’ee some strong beef tea to nourish ’ee and give strength,” said the good woman, as she laid the girl’s head back on the pillow and drew the counterpane up to her chin.
But a change came over Gloria’s face. Dark memory, like a cloud, arose and overcast it; yet she mistook the reality for a dream, and she shuddered as she said:
“Oh, dee-ar Granny Lindsay, don’t go yet! Give me your hand, and let me hold you fast! I am frightened—I am frightened——”