His passion had changed to remorseful gentleness, and drawing her arm through his he conducted her to Earle and Norah, who were horrified at learning of the accident. Precious was taken to her room and a physician summoned.
But beyond the shock and fright Precious suffered no ill effects from the rattlesnake's venom. Lord Chester's measures had been quick and effectual, declared the village doctor.
But Precious kept her room all day, with Norah near at hand, and only came down at night when Earle begged her to sit awhile with Lord Chester while he went on an errand to the village.
Lord Chester was sitting on the long piazza, watching the beautiful moonlight as it silvered the landscape with its opal gleams.
He went to meet the girl, and placed her in a chair where the full flood of moonlight shone on her marvelous beauty. But he saw that she shrank and trembled at his nearness.
"You are angry with me," he said humbly, sorrowfully.
"I owe you my life for the second time. For that I must be grateful," she murmured faintly.
"Yet you despise me—because I dared—almost fearing you dead—to press one kiss on your lips."
"You had no right," she faltered, holding her golden head quite proudly; then, almost inaudibly: "You belong to Ethel."
There was ineffable sadness in the subdued voice—sadness and struggling pride. He whispered thrillingly: