There was no preamble of civility or diffidence; no reserve in addressing him, a mere stranger; no trembling, preparatory queries; but a point-blank question, in a tone whose impatient anguish moved his kind heart; a piercing look, that would know the truth then and there!
"He is better, to-day"—and he led her out of the press of the onward stream. "He has not been dangerously ill. We hope and believe that he will not be."
"Is that true?" Her fingers tightened upon his arm.
"It is! I would not, for the world, deceive you in such a matter."
"I believe you! Thank Heaven! I feared the worst!" She covered her face with her hands, and burst into tears.
Hammond beckoned a hackman, close by, and when the short-lived reaction of overwrought feeling subsided so far as to allow Sarah to notice surrounding objects, she was seated in the carriage, screened from curious or impertinent gazers, and her escort was nowhere to be seen. Several minutes elapsed before he again showed himself at the window.
"I must trouble you for your checks, Miss Hunt, in order to get your baggage."
Already ashamed of her emotion, she obeyed his demand without speaking.
"You have given me but one," he said, turning it over in his hand.
"That is all, sir."