"I cannot bear up against such weather," she moaned. "It oppresses me and frightens me—oh, it terrifies me so! Protect me, Frank, shelter me; come close!"
She drew him to her on the sofa, and, opening his coat, nestled against him.
"I am so frightened. Hold me tightly—wrap your coat round me. Oh, do not let it come upon me! Lord have mercy, and do not let it come over me, again, I beseech Thee!"
It was the visionary thunder she prayed to be spared. And she threw both arms round her lover, clinging to him as if to hide herself. So she remained, while he held her close; when, presently, twisting her fingers into his waistcoat-pocket, she murmured:
"What is this? what have you here?"
"What have you found?" he said, in alarm.
"This, in your waistcoat-pocket?"
"Nothing—a little phial," he muttered. "Some drops for my eyes. I have been troubled by my eyes lately."
She took out the phial. It was a tiny, dark blue bottle, with a cut glass stopper and no label.
"For your eyes?" she said. "I did not know—"