Zillah started at the tone of his voice. It was a tone of fear.
"What is it that he says?" asked Hilda, in a sweet voice.
The Earl frowned. Zillah did not see it however. She looked back to Hilda and whispered, "He wants me to stay with him."
"Poor dear!" said Hilda. "Well, tell him that you will. It is a whim. He loves you, you know. Tell him that you'll stay."
And Zillah stooped down and told the Earl that she would stay.
There was trouble in the Earl's face. He lay silent and motionless, with his eyes fixed upon Zillah. Something there was in his eyes which expressed such mute appeal that Zillah wondered what it might be. She went over to him and sat by his side. He feebly reached out his thin hand. Zillah took it and held it in both of hers, kissing him as she did so.
"You will not leave me?" he whispered.
"No, dear father."
A faint pressure of her hand was the Earl's response, and a faint smile of pleasure hovered over his thin lips.
"Have you written to Guy?" he asked again.