"Yes, for I was worn out. This is the first night in four that I have laid down, and the second night in eight," answered Sybil.
"My gracious goodness! How could you stand it? You cannot be rested yet. You had better lie a bed longer."
"No, I would rather get up," said Sybil, rising.
As on a former occasion, the girl attended the lady at her rude toilet, rendering the assistance of a dressing maid.
Just before they left the room, Gentiliska, chancing to look out of the window, uttered an exclamation of surprise and delight.
"What is it?" inquired Sybil.
"The captain's son! Oh! a beautiful boy, Mrs. Berners! An angel among devils! He has been gone so long! And now he has unexpectedly come back again. Look, Mrs. Berners! Oh! how I do wish somebody would deliver this boy from this band! would save this pure young soul alive!" exclaimed Gentiliska, with more feeling than Sybil had ever seen her display.
Following the glance of the girl's eye, the lady looked from the window.
Prepared as she had been by Gentiliska's praise to behold a boy of rare beauty, she was really startled by the angelic loveliness of the lad before her.
The charm was not alone in the soft bright golden hair that shone like a halo around the fair, open forehead, nor in the straight brown eye-brows, nor the clear blue eyes, nor the sweet serious mouth, nor in the delicate blooming complexion; it was also in the expression of earnest candor and trusting love that beamed from every feature of that beautiful face.