They were glad of even that concession, and Senator Bonair hastened to say that he would like to bring Rosalind in and have the greeting over, that is, if it would not agitate Charley too much.
Charley faintly protested that he should not mind at all.
So presently the smiling beauty was ushered in to where Berenice sat stroking Charley’s thin hand so tenderly in hers, and though the sight almost drove her wild with anger, she kept her cool, set smile, and spoke calmly, with friendly words of greeting, though the hand she touched to theirs was so cold it made them shudder.
“I am intruding only for a moment,” she smiled, and quickly withdrew on the senator’s arm, while Charley dropped asleep again, and Berenice sobbed to herself in silent grief:
“Oh, my secret, my bitter secret I have kept so long, would that I could forget it now!”
The day waned to a close, the purple gloaming fell, and the nurse who had had a day off for rest, now came in, saying:
“You have been in so closely all day you must go out into the fresh air and rest a while. I will watch your husband carefully.”
She wondered why Berenice caught her hand so tightly, whispering passionately:
“I will not go until you promise to remain closely by the bed and not to trust him to any other, not even his father and sisters, till I return.”
“I promise faithfully, madam,” returned the nurse.