“Just so; therefore you must go to rest now. There, be a good girl, and clear out, will you?”
“Yes, Alick,” she answered, in a depressed tone. “Good night;” and she put up her lips to kiss him.
“Bosh! no good night in the case. Do you think I am going to sit up till day writing letters?” he said, laughing and evading her caress.
Feeling that something was very wrong, yet trying not to think so, she left the room and went up stairs to bed.
And after a little while, being almost worn out by so many nights’ watching, she fell asleep and slept until morning.
Meanwhile, Alexander wrote a couple of trifling letters, and then, not to disturb her, he stole on tip-toes up to his newly chosen room and went to rest.
Drusilla was the first up in the morning, before even her servants were astir. She roused Pina and set her to work, and helped with her own hands, and to such good purpose that a very nice breakfast was soon ready and waiting for Alexander.
He came down, and greeted Drusilla kindly, but without his usual morning kiss. And she felt the slight; but neither spoke nor looked her chagrin.
“You were so still that I thought you were asleep when I went up stairs last night, so I took care not to wake you by entering your room; for you needed rest very much, little Drusa,” he said, in explanation of his second desertion.
“Yes, Alick,” she answered, quietly; and she went on to make his coffee.