“In your upper bureau drawer, ma’am, where it is quite safe.”
“Oh, Pina, bring it back to me directly.”
The girl obeyed.
“Is it a relic, ma’am?” inquired Pina.
“Yes,” answered her mistress. And so it was, though not of the sort Pina was thinking of.
“Oh, I beg pardon—I didn’t know, ma’am.”
“And now, Pina, no matter how ill I may become, you must never let this be removed from my bosom again. It is more precious to me than anything I have in the world except my Bible and my wedding-ring,” said Drusilla, as she fastened the treasure around her neck.
“Indeed, ma’am! Then I will be very careful not to have it removed. Now try to compose yourself, ma’am,” said Pina, as she proceeded to close the shutters and draw the curtains to darken the room.
Drusilla complied with this good advice, and folding her hands as if in prayer, lay very quietly.
Pina went to the chamber door and spoke to Leo, who had remained on duty in the passage for some hours. She told him that their mistress was now better, and that he might go down stairs and look after his own affairs, and that she would call him if his services should be needed.