Much weeping had dulled the luster of those sparkling eyes and paled the bright bloom of the once rounded cheeks.
The Christmas snows were not whiter nor colder than the girl who sat there and stared in blank despair at the wide sea.
"I beg your pardon, miss," said Mrs. Susan Sharpe, halting in the door-way; "I want to come in."
At the sound of the strange voice, the prisoner wheeled suddenly around and confronted her.
"Come in, then," she said: and Mrs. Sharpe came slowly in and closed the door. "Who are you?" Mollie asked, transfixing her with her steadfast gaze. "I never saw you before."
"No, miss; I only came from New York to-day."
"Who are you?"
"I'm Susan Sharpe."
"And what are you doing here?"
"I'm to be your nurse, miss. Doctor Oleander hired me and brought me down."