Katy was not there, and she flung herself into the nearest arm-chair, sobbing wretchedly, although on that night she had cause to cry out to Heaven and rejoice for God's mercy to her for so unexpectedly restoring her sight. But, ah, me! how strange it is that all the blessings Heaven can shower upon us seem as dross when the one love we crave proves fickle.
Dorothy did not have the heart to cry out joyfully and thankfully. Her head drooped on her breast with a low, quivering sigh, and her hands fell in her lap.
Suddenly something around the bottom of her dress caught her eye, and she started to her feet with a low cry.
"It is blood!" she cried out in an awful voice.
No sooner had the door closed behind Dorothy ere Kendal flew back to Iris' side.
No one had heard the terrible cries. He thanked Heaven for that. The music had drowned them.
He had quite believed that Iris was dying. A hasty examination showed him that it was only a slight wound on the shoulder, from which blood was flowing profusely.
"Thank God it is no worse!" he cried, breathing freely.
He quickly set about restoring Iris, and in a moment she opened her eyes.
"Murder! murder!" she would have cried again, but he put his hand instantly over her red lips.