"As you please," he said, his features softening a little at sight of her distress. "You look hardly able to make it now, and some hours later will answer just as well. Indeed, I think we would all do well to go to our beds as soon as possible. But stay a moment."
He stepped into the dining-room, and returned with a glass of wine, which he offered to the governess, saying, "You look ready to faint; drink this, it will do you good."
"No, no, never," she cried, shuddering and recoiling as from a serpent; "it has been the ruin of those I love best."
"Very well," he said coldly, "Mildred, will you take it?"
"No, thank you, uncle; I do not need it and would rather not," the young girl answered pleasantly.
"Silly girl," he said, draining the glass himself. "Well, good night, ladies; or rather good morning. Miss Worth, I will see you in the library directly after breakfast."
So saying he left them.
"What a blessing that it has turned out so well," Mildred said to her companion.
"Has it?" queried the governess, in a bewildered tone, and putting her hand to her head. "I feel as though the earth were reeling beneath my feet. I can not think."