She looked so bright, so beautiful, sitting there beside him, that he would willingly have given his life, could he once have put his arms around her and told her how he loved her. But it must not be and with a mighty effort, which filled the blue veins on his forehead and forced out the drops of perspiration, he conquered the desire, but not until he closed his eyes to shut out her glowing beauty.
“You are tired,” she said. “I am wearing you out,” and arranging his pillows more comfortably, she made a movement to go.
He let her think he was tired, for he would rather she should leave him, and with a whispered “good-by, dear Oliver,” she glided from the room.
CHAPTER XI.
LAWRENCE DECEIVED AND UNDECEIVED.
For a time after Mildred left him, Lawrence slept on quietly, and Lilian gradually felt her fears subsiding, particularly as Rachel brought in a lamp and placed it on the mantel. Still she was very nervous and she sat sobbing behind her handkerchief, until Lawrence showed signs of waking; then remembering what Mildred had said of something in a cup, she held it to his lips, bidding him drink, but he would not, and setting it down she went back to her crying, thinking it mean in Mildred to leave her there so long when she wasn’t a bit accustomed to sick folks.
Suddenly she felt a hand laid upon her own, and starting up she saw Lawrence Thornton looking at her. Instantly all her fortitude gave way, and laying her face on the pillow beside him she sobbed:
“Oh, Lawrence, Lawrence, I’m so glad you ain’t dead, and have waked up at last, for it’s dreadful sitting here alone.”
Drawing her nearer to him the young man said:
“Poor child, have you been here long?”