He was pacing silently up and down the floor. On her entrance he turned quickly and demanded eagerly:
“How is she? How is she?”
“Oh, Justin!” exclaimed Elfie, dropping into a chair and bursting into tears.
“Dead? dead?” cried Justin, breathlessly, starting towards her and seizing her hand.
“Not yet! not yet! Oh, Justin!”
“But—dying?”
Elfie nodded her head and burst into heavier sobs.
Justin threw himself into a chair, covered his face with his hands and groaned in anguish.
And so they remained a few moments—Elfie sobbing heavily, Justin struggling for composure.
At length Elfie arose and with a still heaving bosom went to her companion and said: