He came back with the cup in his hand. "Now," he said, "you are going to drink this."
She lifted scared eyes to his stern face. "Edward!" she whispered.
"Don't—oh, don't look at me like that!"
He stooped over her, and put the cup to her lips. She drank, quivering, not daring to refuse. When she had finished he brought her bread and butter and fed her, mouthful by mouthful, while the tears ran silently down her face.
At last he turned again to Juliet. "Miss Moore, my wife will not object to your leaving us now."
It was a distinct command. But she hesitated to obey. Vera looked up at her piteously, saying no word. The squire frowned heavily, his eyes grimly, piercingly, upon Juliet.
She met his look with steady resolution. "Won't you leave her to rest for a little while?" she said. "I think she needs it."
"Very well," he said, and though he did not look like yielding she realized to her surprise that he had done so. He turned to the door. "I should like a word with you in the library," he said, as he reached it. "Please come to me there immediately!"
He was gone. Vera turned with a sob and clasped Juliet closely to her.
"He is going to send you away. I know he is," she wailed. "What shall I do? What shall I do?"
"Lie down!" said Juliet sensibly, releasing herself to settle the tumbled bedclothes. "Don't cry any more! Just shut your eyes and lie still!"