His expression changed, and grew concerned. "You have hurt yourself. You can hardly speak," he asserted.
"It's getting better, fast—only it was a shock," she said, bravely trying for a smile. "I wonder if you would be so very kind as to pick up my—purse for me."
"Shall I get you some water or something?" he asked, anxiously.
She shook her head. "I am getting better. I shall be able to walk directly."
"Where are you hurt?" he inquired, kneeling beside her. His face expressed more than concern.
She felt a troubling of the senses, a commotion of the heart as she replied, "Oh, nowhere in particular. I—fell—against the railing. Just bruised a little—and it took away my breath."
He knelt there, gazing upon her with an intensity which she felt she could hardly bear. In the stillness each of them, in fancy, was back in the Deptford lodging. She guessed something of the thoughts in his mind.
"I shall be all right—I'm quite, perfectly strong," she eagerly assured him.
It seemed that he was unable to speak. To hide his emotion he turned from her, and began to collect the coins and put them back in the pretty silver-mounted purse.
"I suppose," he asked presently, speaking with his back to her, "that you don't remember how much you had?"