His lips quivered. "Very ill!"
"Lynn! brother!" A mist fell over her sight—then cleared, as one long choking sob relieved her burdened breast. Charley raised her.
"There is no time to lose."
"I am ready."
Mr. Read and Josephine came into the hall at the bustle.
"Miss Ross! may I presume to ask whither you are going, on such a night?"
"To see a sick friend, sir!" returned Charley, as dictatorially.
"Whom sir, and where?"
"My friend, and she is under my protection;" said he, impatient at the detention. A carriage was waiting. Ida asked one question—"When was he attacked?"