"Oh!"
The light had given one expiring flare and gone out, leaving them in darkness.
"Are you afraid? Shall I leave my door ajar?" he asked, gently.
"No, no," she answered, quickly.
"Very well, then; but I shall not go to sleep. I shall lie awake to guard you from any fancied danger," he said; and sighed, knowing that there was nothing to fear save the grim, gaunt hunger-wolf.
He struck a match that he might smile once more, sadly but tenderly, into the pale, patient face. She smiled bravely in return.
"My good friend, good-night," she said gently; and with a sigh he left her to hold a patient, wakeful vigil outside her door.
Hours passed without a sound from the dark, inner chamber, where Marie lay huddled among the pillows in feverish sleep. At last, dizziness and weariness fairly conquered him; his head drooped to the arm of the sofa, and he, too, slept.
It seemed scarce a minute since his heavy eyes had shut before he started up with a confused cry. Had some one called his name?