"Not to-day, my sweetest," was the murmured reply. "The doctor would not allow that."
"Oh, but Osbert is expecting me; he will be vexed." She put her hand to her head.
"Lie down, darling; you must not exert yourself. You are weak. Osbert knows. It is all right."
Virginia, conscious of a swimming in her head, though the pain was gone, subsided upon her pillows.
"Oh, mamma, how tiresome! How very tiresome!" she faltered. "I have been away so long; I must go back!"
"My dearest, my most precious child, don't grieve yourself! It is all right! You are with those that love you, and will take care of you," was the cooing answer. "There is no need for fear, my Virgie."
"It isn't fear. It is breaking my word," stammered the girl, knowing that her words sounded like nonsense, but feeling explanation too difficult.
Mrs. Mynors, without speaking, brought her a cup of strong broth which was keeping warm over a little lamp.
"I have sent that poor, good Grover out for a walk," said she. "She is not as young as she was, and the nursing has tired her. But I had another reason for sending her away when you should wake. I wanted to be alone with you."
She did not say this until the soup had been drunk, and Virginia felt refreshed.