“Did you fall?” she cried, as she hastily helped him off with the cloak.
“No. But quick; the water.”
She hurried away, shivering with the dread of some new trouble to come, but soon returned with the sponge, and busied herself in bathing the hurt.
“I was attacked—by some ruffian,” said Hallam hoarsely, as the water trickled and plashed back in the basin. “He struck me with a bludgeon and left me senseless. When I came to he was gone.”
“Robert, you horrify me!” cried Millicent. “This is dreadful.”
“Might have been worse,” he said coolly. “There, now dry it, and listen to me the while.”
“Yes, Robert,” she said, forcing herself to be firm, and to listen to the words in spite of the curious doubting trouble that would oppress her.
“As soon as I go upstairs to put a few things together and get some papers, you will put on your bonnet and cloak, and dress Julie.”
“Dress Julie!”
“Yes,” he said harshly, “without you wish me to leave you behind.”