After she had read it a fifth time, she sat staring into the fire. She saw nothing, heard nothing. She was oblivious to her surroundings. Her face, even her lips, were bloodless. She sat thus for a long time.
Presently she aroused herself, and pulled the bell-cord. A servant-maid appeared.
"Is my father gone to bed?" She did not turn her face towards her, and she spoke with evident difficulty. Her voice was almost toneless.
"No, miss, he is just saying good-night to Mr. Sackville."
"Will you please go to him, and ask him to go into the library."
"Yes, miss."
"Why are you waiting?"
"Shall I tell him that you will come to him, miss?"
"Yes."
The girl left the room, while Olive continued to look into the fire with the same stony stare.