"You can go to your room!" he ordered, not advised. "I will sit up for Mrs. Hammond!"
"I have slept in the nursery, sir, while you were away."
"That cannot be to-night. I will find you some other place."
He had no intention that the anticipated conversation with his wife should be overheard.
"I can stay with a friend of mine, sir, only a few doors off."
"Very well!"
Quickly and quietly the nurse arranged the night-lamp and the child's food, that her mistress might have no trouble during her absence, and went out.
Baby Belle slumbered on, happily wandering through the guileless mazes of baby dreamland; one little arm, bared from the sleeve of her gown, thrown above her head—the hand of the other cradling her cheek. The father ventured to press a light kiss upon the red lips. In his desolation, he craved this trifling solace. The child's face was contorted by an expression of discomfort, and, still dreaming, she murmured, in her inarticulate language, some pettish expression of disgust.
"My very child shrinks from me! It is in the blood!" said the unhappy man, drawing back from the crib.