CHAPTER XLV.
On the following night, as Esther was preparing to go to bed, the nursery door was suddenly opened and Mrs. Wyndham entered.
"Esther," she said, "I want baby."
"He is sound asleep, madam. You would not wake him?"
"He can be moved without disturbing him. I want him to sleep in my bed. I want his company. My little child?"
She was trembling. She caught hold of the rails of the baby's cot.
"Little children are sacred innocent things, aren't they, nurse? I want my little child to-night."
"Strange," thought Esther. "I listened with all my might, and I could not hear anything except the usual barrel organs and German bands in the street. But she has heard something, there isn't a doubt. How queer and shaken she looks. Poor young thing, I do pity her; she can't help thinking she is a widow when she is a wife."
Aloud Esther complied with Mrs. Wyndham's request cheerfully.
"Certainly, madam. The child will never know that we are moving him. If you will go on to your room, ma'am, I'll follow with master baby."