A startled cry came from the lips of the invalid.
The man's last words had penetrated her reviving senses.
She raised herself on her arm and looked about her at the unfamiliar room and the strange faces around her.
"Leon Vinton, you here?" she exclaimed in a piteous tone. "Oh, Heaven, where am I?"
"We are all friends, miss," said Mrs. Thorn, soothingly. "You fell exhausted by the roadside, and we took you in and cared for you until your brother came along and found you here."
Queenie's eyes flashed scornfully into Leon Vinton's face.
"Does he say that he is my brother?" she demanded, pointing her finger at him and looking at Mrs. Thorn.
"Yes, miss," answered the woman.
"He lies!" exclaimed Queenie, passionately, gaining strength with her anger. "I am nothing to him, nothing! He is trying to deceive you that he may get me into his power!"
Leon Vinton sighed mournfully, and shook his head as he looked around at the girl's auditors.